February 10, 2011

Repeal of BPA ban would hurt Maine children


Last summer, I attended the Board of Environmental Protection hearing on banning Bisphenol-A in infant and children’s products. Bisphenol-A is a “hormone disrupter” linked to learning disabilities and serious childhood (and adult) illnesses.

This chemical is in baby bottles, sippy cups and toys. It also lines the insides of “tin cans,” is on the inside of jar lids (including baby food jars) and in plastic food storage containers.

At the hearing, many Maine mothers, doctors, and environmentalists spoke in favor of banning the chemical. Speaking in favor of the chemical were representatives of the American Chemistry Council from Arlington, Va., and the Grocery Manufacturers Association from Washington D.C. At least eight other states, including Massachusetts and Vermont, have already banned BPA.

Read about the hearing here:

www.kjonline.com/news/mothers-speak-out-against-controversial-chemical_2010-08-19.html

 Following the hearing, the Board of Environmental Protection voted to ban Bisphenol-A in children’s products in Maine. Now, however, this decision is on the LePage administration list of regulations to be reconsidered. Why would anyone put the desire of national chemical and grocery manufacturing groups above potential learning disabilities and health risks to Maine infants and children?

Maine residents can support the ban on Bisphenol-A, as well as other Maine environmental and health regulations, with letters to the Joint Select Committee on Regulatory Fairness and Reform, c/o Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, 13 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333; or attend the hearing regarding this and other suggested regulatory reforms at 9 a.m. Monday in Room 208 of the State Office Building in Augusta.



Jane Edwards

East Vassalboro

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