Banning toxins in baby bottles and toys
by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Action Fund
In keeping with one of our 2008 legislative goals, to focus on the environment's effect on reproductive health, I thought I'd give you an update on Healthy Legacy's (an organization of which we are a coalition member) efforts to protect consumers from toxic chemicals. Yesterday the Committee on Health, Housing, and Family Security met to discuss SF1858, The Healthy Children's Product Act, a bill that would protect consumers from a chemicals contained in baby toys and bottles.
This particular bill is focused on phthalates, which act as softening agents, and are present in lots of vinyl products, as well as teething-rings and toys like rubber duckies. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hardening agent present in baby bottles (and other hard plastics, such as nalgene bottles). Both of these chemicals can be leached out of their product and consequently ingested.
At the hearing, Dr. David Wallinga testified to the growing body of evidence that indicates that these toxins are taking a toll on our reproductive and general health. Wallinga cited numerous studies that indicate that in both animals and humans these chemicals are affecting reproductive tract development, onset of puberty, a woman's ability to carry a baby to full term, and reproductive organ development.
He also explained that science has found that "it's the youngest of us who are more vulnerable to environmental chemical exposures...they are more vulnerable because they are still developing." This includes both in utero development as well as baby and childhood development.
Many of the legislators seemed to be hung up on the idea that we can't say that phthalates and BPA are the exact and precise cause for shrinking penis sizes or puberty occurring earlier and earlier etc. It would be next to impossible to make that type of connection when you consider all of the other toxic material we have in our environment, in combination with our own genetic make up. But what we do know is that these chemicals are having an effect. And what we also know that there are all ready cost-competitive alternatives available that offer a safer alternative.
Phasing these chemicals out makes common sense. The European Union and has already banned phthalates in children's toys. California, as of January 2009, will also phase out phthalates in children's toys. Many states are also looking into banning both phthalates and BPA in children's products.
Of course, there was then a point where one of the legislators had to make an irrelevant comment about the fact that Planned Parenthood was supporting this legislation. Senator Betsy Wergin decided to take it there:
"One of the things I heard you say several times is that these two chemicals potentially do harm to the fetus correct?...I noticed that Planned Parenthood is one of the folks that are on the Healthy Legacy coalition membership...would you suggest that abortion does harm to a fetus?...so something that desecrates and kills a fetus you're unwilling to address, but this where we don't know for sure you want to take it off the market even though we have no real proof"
(You can listen to the whole hearing here.)
Never mind that over 95% of Planned Parenthood's works is focused on prevention and keeping women and their families healthy. If you ask me, it seems like a perfectly logical fit for Planned Parenthood. Women should have the right to choose whether or not to have a child-and if they choose to have a child they should be able to keep themselves and their developing fetuses healthy by avoiding toxic materials. Duh.
So yeah, call me crazy, but I think keeping toxins out of baby bottles is a pretty logical thing. If you think so too, you should consider signing on the Center for Health and Justice's petition to influence manufacturers to stop using these nasty chemimcals. Here's a link.
And if you want to learn more about this issue, I'd highly recommend listening to the committee hearing on it. It's actually really interesting and there is a ton to learn about this topic. Here's a link to the hearing (real player). Here's a link to more about BPA.
Let's keep our fingers crossed that this session, we can take a big step forward and start addressing some of these toxins. Check back on our blog for updates. Or subscribe HERE.
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