March 22

Mother urges support for expanding BPA ban

Morning Sentinel Staff

As a mother and retired medical professional who has worked with children with learning disabilities, I am very concerned about the effects that toxic chemicals have on the developing brain and body of our children.

I have been following the efforts here in Maine to ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) from baby food containers. BPA is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical that numerous peer-reviewed scientific studies have linked to learning disabilities, obesity, early onset puberty, breast and prostate cancer and other devastating health effects.

In January, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection unanimously passed a citizen-initiated rule to ban the use of BPA in food containers for children younger than 3. This was the result of months of hard work by Maine parents.

Now, a bill has been sent to the Legislature to be considered by the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Legislature at large. L.D. 902 would ban the use of BPA in baby food containers, and I strongly urge the Legislature to pass this bill in a swift manner.

The Maine Legislature has already acted to phase out BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups, with bipartisan support, under Maine's Kids Safe Products Law. We know that children are still exposed to BPA in their food -- two-thirds of their exposure to BPA comes from food packaging.

Parents have so much to worry about when it comes to keeping their children safe and healthy. I urge the Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the full Legislature to support and pass L.D. 902 to get BPA out of baby food containers. It's common sense.

Nan Bennett

South China

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