Potentially harmful chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) is in the blood of 93 percent of Americans aged 6 and older and enters infants through baby bottles. Studies have shown that BPA -- which is used to make plastics such as hard, clear plastic baby bottles -- may lead to breast and prostate cancer, obesity, reproductive system abnormalities and, in infants, developmental problems.
Canada has already banned BPA from baby bottles. The U.S. Congress should do the same, plus more: BPA is also found in items ranging from food packaging and water bottles to dental sealants.
From witnessing the effects of BPA in experiments, scientists believe this is a toxin the government cannot ignore. Congress needs to act to eliminate this potential health threat before it's too late. Tell Congress to ban BPA and any other potentially harmful chemical from products that serve as gateways to our bodies.
Dear [Decision Maker],
Please protect the health of our children by supporting legislation (S. 2928, HR 6228) to ban the use of bisphenol-A in children's products and in food and beverage containers.
BPA is found in many hard plastic containers, including plastic baby bottles, and can leach into food and beverages and make its way into our children's systems.
A recent study by the US Centers for Disease Control found that BPA was in the blood of 93 percent of Americans aged 6 and older. The growing developmental systems of young children are unable to metabolize and detoxify BPA from their systems.
Recent research strongly suggests exposure may increase susceptibility to breast and prostate cancer, reproductive system abnormalities, and a host of developmental problems in the womb and early childhood. Concerns about early life exposures also extend to early onset of puberty in females and obesity.
U.S. regulatory agencies have yet to act to protect the public, despite recent reports about BPA dangers by the National Toxicology Program and the Health Ministry of Canada, which is taking steps to ban major sources of BPA exposure. Twelve states are moving legislation that phases out or prohibits BPA in children's products.
In particular, due to the possible increased risks to babies, small children, and pregnant women, it makes sense at the very least to remove BPA from all products in the United States that affect these vulnerable populations.
Please help protect the health of our children by supporting S. 2928 and HR 6228. Thank you for your consideration of this important public health issue.
