[IMG]http://simplefeed.consumerreports.org/rsrc/i/1/_/a_vote_to_ban_bpa__784484133/4.gif?f=3dcb3160-01dc-11dc-32a2-0019bbc55f7f&s=AewyNia7NTvDvhaDemju5DEsbnVsbCwwLDA *[/IMG] A vote to ban BPA
The Suffolk County legislature in New York State voted unanimously Tuesday to ban the sale of children?s beverage containers containing the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA).
"We strongly believe that this new law will have a significant impact in protecting the health of our young children by removing products containing BPA from the store shelves in our community," legislator Steve Stern said in a prepared statement. Stern is one of the legislators who introduced the bill on January 5th.
BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate baby bottles and sport bottles as well as in the lining of canned foods. Studies suggest that the chemical can mimic estrogen and may be linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, reproductive abnormalities, and other health problems in children and adults. Canada announced a proposal last April to ban some items containing BPA. Suffolk County legislators believe the ban would be the first of its kind in the U.S.
Consumers Union has repeatedly called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban BPA in children?s products and food and beverage containers. ?This landmark legislation sets a new precedent and sends a strong message to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and to industry that people and local governments like Suffolk County want change now,? said Urvashi Rangan. a senior scientist and policy analyst at Consumers Union. Several states and municipalities are considering similar bans.
?Kevin McCarthy, associate editor

For more on reducing your family?s exposure to BPA, see Plastic Worries. And see the full statement from Consumers Union.
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