Bill to Stop Toxic Baby Bottles
Media Contacts
Bill Comes on the Heels of Action by Minnesota and Chicago
WISPIRG
Madison, WI – Responding to the increasingly recognized dangers of bisphenol-A (BPA), an industrial chemical used in many children’s products, state Senator Julie Lassa and state Representative Kelda Roys circulated among colleagues legislation today that will protect children from the toxic chemical. The legislation bans the manufacture and sale of BPA in children’s bottles and sippy cups.
“Parents shouldn’t have to be chemists to know which products are safe,” said Bruce Speight of WISPIRG. “WISPIRG applauds Senator Lassa and Representative Roys for their leadership on this important children’s protection issue.”
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation exposed the cynical efforts of the chemical and plastics industry to downplay the dangers of bisphenol-A and derail government action on the toxic chemical, even though it ‘s been shown to leach from children’s products, and numerous studies link it to cancer, early onset puberty, obesity, and hyperactivity.
BPA is a synthetic sex hormone that disrupts the endocrine system, which regulates growth and development in children’s bodies. Numerous scientific studies have shown that exposure to even tiny doses of BPA may lead to serious adverse health effects.
With the lack of federal action on BPA, states and cities are taking action to protect children from this toxic chemical. Last week, Connecticut Governor Jodi Rell signed into law a ban on BPA in infant formula and baby food cans and jars, as well as the full range of reusable food and beverage containers. Last month, Minnesota Tim Pawlenty signed into law a ban on BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. The city of Chicago has taken action on BPA as well. In August, Canada confirmed that it would ban BPA from baby bottles.
A variety of public health, environmental, and childrens’ organizations, including the Wisconsin Parent-Teacher Association, Sierra Club-John Muir Chapter, Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters, Clean Wisconsin and Wisconsin Environment, have urged the state to take action on BPA by supporting this bill.
“Toxic chemicals have no place in children’s products,” concluded Speight. “Parents should be able to shop for baby bottles and sippy cups without fear of exposing their children to toxic chemicals.”
