CHICAGO BANS SALE OF BABY BOTTLES, SIPPY CUPS WITH DANGEROUS CHEMICAL
The Chicago City Council voted Wednesday to ban the dangerous chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), in baby bottles and sippy cups. The chemical has been linked to cancer, diabetes and other ailments. Chicago is now the first city in the United States to ban the sale of products made with BPA. The Chicago ordinance will go into effect in 2010 and will ban the sale of any empty food or drink container containing BPA that is intended for use by children less than 3 years old.
BPA was developed as a synthetic hormone more than 100 years ago. Starting in the 1950s, manufacturers began to use it to make hard, clear plastic. The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ruled that it was safe for use in food and drink containers. Even now, the FDA continues to insist that the small amount of BPA in containers isn't dangerous. Industry officials pointed to the FDA's position when they tried to block the city's measure this week, stating "We have and will continue to develop scientific data to inform credible, transparent scientific assessments of BPA so that the public can have the confidence it deserves in the safety of these products." Nevertheless, scientists are increasingly concerned that constant exposure to the chemical is harmful, even at low doses leaching from plastic. Indeed, hundreds of studies have linked the chemical to breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other health problems.
Many retailers, including Wal-Mart, CVS and Toys "R" Us, have already decided to stop selling bottles and containers made with BPA. Some manufacturers have also begun marketing "BPA-free" products. With retailers and manufacturers already pro-actively phasing out the use of BPA, the Chicago ordinance, which passed by a unanimous vote, is largely symbolic. The message, however, is clear: We don't want your BPA in Chicago!
