Healthy Tot

A few days ago, my sister forwarded me article that appeared in the New York Times, about the likelihood that Canada will list bisphenol-a (BPA) as a toxic plastic ingredient. This is an amazing development that I hope (as I am sure you do too) will lead to pressure the US government to take similar measures. Instead of linking to the article, as the NY Times has you sign-in, I am including some important excerpts here.

- The Canadian government is said to be ready to declare as toxic a chemical widely used in plastics for baby bottles, beverage and food containers as well as linings in food cans.
- “If the government issues a finding of toxic, no parent in their right mind will be using products made with this chemical,” said Rick Smith, the executive director of Environmental Defense, a Canadian group that has been campaigning against B.P.A. “We will be arguing strongly for a ban on the use of this chemical in food and beverage containers.”
- “The first thing is that it’s an endocrine disrupter, there’s no question about that,” Professor Bend said, referring to the chemical’s impact on the hormonal system. “Should people that are exposed to these low levels of this chemical be outrageously concerned? I’d err on the side of not creating panic. We simply don’t know. But we should find out.”
Professor Bend added that the impact of B.P.A. on the development of human fetuses was worrisome. It may prove to cause damage in much the same way as early exposure to mercury, he said.

The article ends with a comment regarding the report from the American Chemistry Council “affirms that there are no serious or high-level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol-a on human reproduction and development.”
Hmmm, weren’t there cover-ups regarding the dangers of tobacco and lead poisoning- which have all come to pass as harmful to humans.
In my month or more of research and attention on BPAs, I came across this book called Deceit and Denial, The Deadly Politics of Industrial Pollution which looks at how historically corporations and at times the government attempted to cover-up, mislead or downplay the dangers of lead and various other harmful chemicals. It is fascinating and could turn out to relevant to our quest to get to the bottom of the dangers associated with BPAs.

For more info on this book and the mission visit the Deceit and Denial website
And just in the from the Boston Globe Bottle firm halts use of plastic tied to tumors
More info on this matter from SafeMama and The Soft Landing