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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Lawrence Curry
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AMA adopts BPA warning policy
Curry calls on House GOP to join the baby-bottle battle
HARRISBURG, July 11 – State Rep. Lawrence Curry welcomed the American Medical Association's new policy urging that BPA-containing products be clearly identified.
"I have been sounding the alarm on the dangers of BPA, especially as it pertains to babies, for years. But House Republicans have turned a deaf ear," said Curry, D-Montgomery/Phila. "Perhaps with the AMA adopting a warning policy, Republicans will take action on my bill that would ban the chemical in infant and toddler bottles and cups sold or manufactured in Pennsylvania."
BPA, or bisphenol-A, is an estrogen-like chemical used in many everyday items, such as some:
· Baby bottles and sippy cups
· Reusable plastic bottles and food containers;
· Drink and food cans;
· Dental sealants;
· Cash-register receipts.
When a container made with BPA is heated, the chemical can leach into the food and then it enters your body where it could cause a range of health problems, including:
· Breast and prostate cancer,
· Heart disease, obesity and diabetes,
· Autism, learning disorders and early puberty in children.
Curry also pointed to a recent University of Missouri study that found when a person consumes BPA through food, the active form of the chemical may remain in the body for longer than expected as yet another good reason to ban BPA from infant and toddler products in Pennsylvania.
Curry's H.B. 192, which has bipartisan support, has been in the House Health Committee since April 6. Curry sent a letter to Chairman Matthew Baker, R-Bradford/Tioga, requesting the bill be released from committee for a vote by the full House but Baker has yet to schedule any hearings or votes on the legislation.
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