“This study adds to the mounting evidence that BPA is not only harmful for our children but for an overwhelming majority of Americans,” Schumer said. “There have been enough warning signs about the dangers of this chemical that we cannot sit idly by and continue to allow residents across New York City to be exposed. We need to keep this dangerous chemical out of the food chain.”
The report shows that BPA poses major health risks that affect reproduction and neural development because the chemical mimics estrogen. Infants and toddlers have the highest risk because they have the highest level of exposure at a time when risks to reproduction and neural development are greatest.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 95 percent of Americans tested have BPA levels at or above levels that cause abnormalities in animals. Studies on lab animals and BPA have shown a link between obesity, infertility, behavioral changes, miscarriages, prostrate problems, and cancer.
“We have to worry because manufacturers are still using this chemical widely, and it’s getting into our foods,” Schumer said.
A Consumer Reports’ study from last month shows that BPA is found even in foods labeled BPA-free. The chemical found in the packaging often seeps into the food, and BPA was found in the canned liquid version of Similac Advance infant formula and canned Nestle Juicy Juice. Of the 19 name brand foods tested, including canned soups, tuna, vegetables, and juice, Del Monte’s green beans had the highest levels of BPA.
Senator Gillibrand said the findings in the report infuriated her, and legislation to ban the chemical was action she felt obligated to take.
“As the mother of two young boys, I expect to have faith and confidence that the products my family consumes are safe,” Gillibrand said. “But this report sheds light on the extent of potential exposure to this harmful chemical. Allowing Americans to continue to be this broadly exposed to potentially dangerous levels of BPA is unacceptable.”
The bill, The BPA-Free Kids Act, will prohibit the manufacture and sale of food and beverage containers composed of BPA for infants and toddlers. Children’s foods and beverages made of BPA would be labeled “banned hazardous substances” under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The bill mandates application of criminal or civil penalties for any violations of the BPA-Free Kids Act, including the testing, certification, and labeling requirements.
“I could not feel a greater sense of urgency on getting the chemical out of the foods our families eat,” Gillibrand said. “They already do this in other countries. If Canada can do it, so can we.”
The bill would provide funding for additional research on BPA of about $5 million a year for five years to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to increase understanding on the health effects of BPA in all age groups and pregnant women.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) is also introducing legislation to permanently ban BPA from all food and beverage containers, and Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are supporting this as well.
Schumer says it will be much easier to pass the legislation banning BPA from children’s food and beverage containers, as there has been resistance for the other bill because there hasn’t been as much testing for adult groups.
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