It is possible that starting this afternoon the Oregon Legislature will finally start protecting babies from Bisphenol A (BPA), banning the toxic chemical from baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula cans.
BPA is a synthetic estrogen that scientific studies show impairs children's brain development, brings on the early onset of puberty and reduces sperm count in men. It has also been linked to breast cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
The Senate Environment Committee is holding its first hearing this session on the BPA-Free Baby Bill (SB 695) this afternoon. However, despite the scientific evidence, victory is far from certain.
How could a bill protecting babies from a toxic chemical fail?
Well-funded corporate lobbyists were able to kill the ban in the last legislative session by convincing all of the Senate Republicans and a handful of conservative Democrats to vote their way. Sadly, the chemical industry has become remarkably adept at using a host of tactics (inspired by the Big Tobacco) to defeat proposed BPA bans.
Nonetheless, this toxic chemical is on the run. Nine states (as well as the European Union, Canada and the United Arab Emirates) have banned BPA in baby bottles or gone even farther.
If you live in Oregon, please join us right now in sending emails to the members of the Senate Environment Committee, telling them to protect our children from BPA.
If you live outside of Oregon, you can probably find a campaign to protect children from toxic chemicals in your state. Together we can protect our kids and defeat the American Chemistry Council.