|
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Lawrence Curry |
|
Curry: New study proves importance of banning BPA from children’s food
HARRISBURG, Sept. 23 – Rep. Lawrence Curry, D-Montgomery/Phila., said this week’s release of a report on high levels of bisphenol-A found in many popular children's canned foods is one more piece of proof that BPA needs to be eliminated from baby and toddler products sold in the state.
BPA is an artificial hormone which is related to estrogen. At Wednesday's public hearing in Harrisburg on Curry's House Bill 192, doctors testified to the possible effects of BPA exposure such as increases in prostate and breast cancer, early onset of puberty in girls, and insulin resistant type II diabetes.
The new report, issued by the Breast Cancer Fund, found an average level of 49 parts per billion in samples taken from six different items purchased in two different locations. The food items tested were popular products from Campbell’s, Chef Boyardee, Earth’s Best, and Annie’s Homegrown.
Curry’s legislation would limit BPA to 0.1 ppb in any food or beverage container made or sold in Pennsylvania and designed for children 3 and younger.
"While I am encouraged that as public awareness to this problem grows, the plastics industry is taking steps to make BPA-free baby products, I feel legislation is necessary to be absolutely sure we are not putting toxins into our infants and toddlers," Curry said.
Experts say infants and children cannot metabolize BPA in the body as well as healthy adults, so it is critical to limit exposure at the ages when it can do the most damage.
"There are very dire consequences regarding exposure to BPA," Curry said. "A recent report said BPA contributes to breast cancer."
Curry said recent studies at the California Pacific Medical Center have linked BPA and estrogen exposure to breast cancer risk.
The AMA supported a ban on BPA in June, and Canada has already banned BPA in baby bottles. Taken in conjunction with the Breast Cancer Fund report and other recent studies, the need to eliminate BPA exposure for children is critical, he said.
###