FYI from [log in to unmask]
http://www.oeconline.org/press_releases/2008pressreleases/bparelease
<http://www.oeconline.org/press_releases/2008pressreleases/bparelease>
Oregon Environmental Council
Feb. 7, 2008
Baby Bottles Leach Toxic Chemical According to New U.S. and Canadian Study
Oregon Environmental Council joins with other environmental health groups to
call for immediate moratorium on Bisphenol A in baby bottles, food, and
beverage containers
PORTLAND, Ore.-Feb. 7, 2008-Dozens of state and national environmental
health organizations in the United States and Canada are calling for an
immediate moratorium on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and
other food and beverage containers, based on the results of a new study that
demonstrates the toxic chemical BPA leaches from plastic baby bottles when
heated.
Results of the study, "Baby's Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from
Popular Baby Bottles," commissioned by Environmental Defence of Canada and
researched by the laboratory of Frederick vom Saal, PhD, at the University
of Missouri, show that, when new bottles are heated, those manufactured by
Avent, Evenflo, Dr. Brown's and Disney/First Years leached between 4.7 - 8.3
parts per billion of BPA.
Recent research on animals shows that at doses below these levels BPA can
harm health by disrupting development. BPA is a synthetic sex hormone that
mimics estrogen, and is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic. Ninety-five
percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with BPA.
Studies conducted on laboratory animals and cell cultures have also linked
low doses of BPA to obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, breast cancer,
prostate cancer, and other illnesses. BPA exposure is widespread and has
been found in 95 percent of Americans tested. Scientists, physicians, and
public health professionals suspect that existing scientific evidence on BPA
indicates a real risk to human health.
"Once again we see the unfortunate effects of the loopholes in our chemical
policy," said Andrea Durbin, Executive Director of the Oregon Environmental
Council. "Sadly, there are no existing safety standards for BPA under U.S.
laws. We and our legislators need to become proactive in defending the
health of our youngest, and most vulnerable citizens."
Nine states have introduced legislation that would restrict the use of BPA
in children's products, including baby bottles; California, Connecticut,
Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Minnesota, New York,
Pennsylvania. Oregon has not as yet introduced legislation.
BPA is also used to make hard plastic used in some toddler sippy cups,
polycarbonate water bottles such as some Nalgene bottles, dental sealants,
and the linings of many food and beverage cans, including all infant
formulas.
On the Web
The full study, "Baby's Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Baby
Bottles," is available to download for free on the website www.chej.org
<http://www.babystoxicbottle.org/> .
The U.S. version of "Baby's Toxic Bottle" was written by the Center for
Health, Environment and Justice, and Clean Water Action, in collaboration
with Environment Defence, and released in the U.S. by a broad coalition of
public health and environmental non-governmental organizations including:
The Oregon Environmental Council, Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Boston
Common Asset Management, Breast Cancer Fund, Center for Health, Environment
and Justice, Clean New York, Clean Water Action, Environment America,
Environmental Health Fund, Environmental Health Strategy Center, Healthy
Legacy, Learning Disabilities Association of America, MOMS (Making Our Milk
Safe), and US PIRG.
About the Oregon Environmental Council
The Oregon Environmental Council safeguards what Oregonians love about
Oregon - clean air and water, an unpolluted landscape and healthy food
produced by local farmers. For 40 years we've been a champion for solutions
to protect the health of every Oregonian and the health of the place we call
home. Our vision for Oregon includes solving global warming, protecting kids
from toxins, cleaning up our rivers, building sustainable economies, and
ensuring healthy food and local farms. Find out more at <http://>
www.oeconline.org.
###
For More Information:
Oregon Environmental Council
Jeremy Graybill, Communications Director 503-222-1963 ext. 111
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