Last week, Sen. Edward Markey, D‐Mass., and Reps. Lois Capps, D-Calif., and Grace Meng, D-N.Y., introduced the “Ban Poisonous Additives (BPA) Act of 2014” into both chambers of Congress. If passed, the bill would:
- Ban bisphenol-A (BPA) from food and beverage containers. BPA is a carbon-based synthetic compound used to make various plastics and epoxy resins.
- Grant waivers to manufacturers seeking safer replacements for BPA while requiring them to place specific warning labels on any packaging that still contains the toxic substance.
- Mandate the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to review the safety of all materials deemed safe for use in food and beverage containers.
While there is no current federal legislation banning BPA, 12 states and the District of Columbia have enacted restrictions on its use. On July 17, 2012, the FDA banned usage of BPA in baby bottles and toddler sippy cups.
According to the Blue Green Alliance and Breast Cancer Fund, more than 300 animal and human studies have linked small amounts of BPA exposure to a range of health problems, including prostate and breast cancer, asthma, obesity, behavioral issues, low birth weight, and brain and immune system dysfunction.
Have thoughts on the bill? Share them with your senators and representative. You can also take some immediate steps to reduce your exposure to BPA.
For Experience Life‘s coverage on BPA and its negative health effects, see the “Related Articles” section below.
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