Canada (and Minnesota!) is one step closer to banning harmful toxin
by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund
According to the New York Times, Canada is one step closer to banning a Bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic chemical found in hard plastics such as nalgene and baby bottles.
BPA is an endocrine disruptor-meaning that it affects our hormones. It's been linked to recurrent miscarriages, altered mammary gland development, prostate cancer, altered brain development and behavior, and insulin resistance. (download pdf of BPA fact sheet)
A public announcement by Health Canada may come as early as Wednesday but could be delayed until the end of May. Canada would be the first country to make a health finding against B.P.A., which has been shown to disrupt the hormonal systems of animals. The department's decision was first reported in The Globe and Mail, a Toronto newspaper, on Tuesday…
"If the government issues a finding of toxic, no parent in their right mind will be using products made with this chemical," said Rick Smith, the executive director of Environmental Defence, a Canadian group that has been campaigning against B.P.A. "We will be arguing strongly for a ban on the use of this chemical in food and beverage containers."
There is currently pending legislation in Minnesota that would ban BPA in baby bottles as well as children's toys. The language banning BPA is currently in HF 1812 -passing this ban would be an important step in addressing the threats posed to our reproductive health by these nasty chemicals contained in everyday products. I'll be sure to keep you updated on its status…
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