GILLIBRAND PUSHES TO BAN BPA

Kirsten Gillibrand had recently posted a detailed warning about products that have potential to harm children and pregnant women. I thought I would pass it on to you.

I'm a Mom with two little boys at home and I consider it my duty to be a voice for parents in Washington to fight for and to protect kids in whatever way I can.

Which is why I was so disturbed by a recent study by Consumer Reports that revealed that a dangerous chemical called bisphenol-A, commonly known as BPA, has been found in a wide range of common products used by children – such as baby bottles, canned formula and canned food.

Even more shocking is that, according to the study, BPA has been found in humans at levels higher than previously thought and in food with containers advertised as BPA free.

BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which can mimic the body's own hormones, and the adverse health effects of BPA on women and children, particularly pregnant women and infants, can be extremely serious. According to a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, BPA is potentially dangerous to human development and reproduction. More than 100 published studies have shown possible links to breast cancer, obesity and neurological disorders. Even low-level exposure to BPA may impact neural development and behavior, and lead to early puberty in girls.

Allowing our children to continue to be broadly exposed to this harmful chemical is unacceptable. The time to ban BPA from food and beverage packaging marketed to kids is now.

Like all parents, I expect to have faith and confidence that the products my family consumes are safe. This study shook that confidence and inspired me to take action. Last month, I was proud to join with my colleague Senator Chuck Schumer to announce the BPA-Free Kids Act – legislation that would protect infants and toddlers from the health risks from BPA by banning this chemical from products such as baby bottles, sippy cups, bowls, plates and utensils used by children ages three and under.

In 2008, Canada became the first country in the world to ban plastic baby bottles with bisphenol-A. If Canada can do it, so can we.

Through testing standards, product labeling requirements, and stiff penalties, along with additional research into BPA, this legislation would result in a great step forward towards ensuring the health of our most vulnerable.

But we can’t stop there. The Consumer Reports study showed alarming BPA levels in a range of canned foods – including green beans, tuna fish, and soups. In response, Senator Schumer and I are co-sponsoring legislation with Senator Diane Feinstein that would permanently ban BPA from all food and beverage containers, including canned food.