The Canary Report

US Senate investigates plastics

Posted on May 27, 2008 by Susie Collins in Blog, Government Regulation, Research

The US Senate held hearings on May 14 about toxic plastics used in consumer goods, most notably in baby products, but also in the type of plastic bottles commonly used for water.

In the Los Angles Times:

Democrats want chemical in plastic investigated: Federal agencies are accused of ignoring the dangers of bisphenol A, which some experts think may harm the development of children’s brains.

WASHINGTON — Congress on Wednesday waded into an escalating scientific dispute over a controversial ingredient in plastic products that some think may harm the development of children’s brains and interfere with human reproduction.

Members of a Senate consumer affairs subcommittee faulted federal agencies for reacting too slowly to concerns that children are exposed to bisphenol A, or BPA, through leaching from such items as water bottles, baby bottles and the linings of food and baby formula cans.

Senate Democrats demanded more independent research into the possible hazards of the estrogen-like compound and better labeling of products that include it.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) pushed for legislation he has introduced to prohibit BPA in all products designed for and intended to be used by children age 7 and younger. The compound is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate, a rigid plastic, and epoxy resins.

“Congress should not gamble with our children’s health,” Schumer said. “If there’s a significant chance that this can cause harm, particularly in children, then we ought to err on the side of caution.”

And for you C-SPAN junkies, here are the videos and transcripts of the testimony.

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Tags: Environmental Illness, MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Policy, Research, Toxic