NJPIRG's Toxics-Free Future News

NJPIRG and NJ Lawmaker call for legislative action to ban the use of toxic chemicals in child care products

 Along with dozens of state and national environmental health organizations in the U.S. and Canada, NJPIRG is calling for action to eliminate the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) from use in baby bottles and other consumer products, based on the results of a new study that demonstrates BPA leaches from popular plastic baby bottles when heated.

 BPA, a synthetic sex hormone that mimics estrogen, is used to make hard polycarbonate plastic. Ninety-five percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with BPA. The results of the U.S. study show that, when new bottles are heated, those manufactured by Avent, Evenflo, Dr. Brown’s and Disney/First Years leached between 4.7 – 8.3 parts per billion of BPA. Recent research on animals shows that BPA can be harmful by disrupting development at doses below these levels.  The Bottles were purchased at retailers across the country in nine states: Babies “R” Us, CVS, Target, Toys “R” Us, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart.

 “Scientific evidence that a known toxic chemical is leaching from baby products calls for immediate protective action to phase it out and replace it with safer alternatives,” said Rebekah Scotland, New Jersey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG). 

 Results of the study, “Baby's Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Baby Bottles,” commissioned by Environmental Defence of Canada and researched by the laboratory of FrederickUniversity of Missouri, contribute to a growing body of evidence that human exposure to BPA is extremely frequent.  vom Saal, PhD., at the

 In addition to baby bottles, BPA is used to make hard plastic used in some toddler sippy cups, polycarbonate water bottles such as some Nalgene bottles, dental sealants, and the linings of many food and beverage cans, including all infant formulas.

 “Considering the extensive peer-reviewed literature on adverse health affects associated with low dose exposure to BPA, it is shocking that no U.S. law currently regulates BPA,” noted Scotland.

 Studies conducted on laboratory animals and cell cultures have linked low doses of BPA to obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer and other illnesses. BPA exposure is widespread and has been found in 95% of Americans tested. Scientists, physicians, and public health professionals suspect that existing scientific evidence on BPA indicates a real risk to human health.

 Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein (D-14) voiced strong support for state level action to eliminate NJ children’s exposure to chemicals such as BPA. 

 “Parents should not have to wonder whether child care products are putting their children at risk for toxic exposure.  Strong safety standards are needed to ensure that parents and consumers aren’t confronted with this question,” stated Greenstein.  “As a New Jersey lawmaker, I firmly support legislative action to eliminate the hidden toxic hazards that threaten the health of New Jersey families.”

 Parents can take action immediately to protect their children’s health by choosing safer products, including plastic baby bottles made without BPA or glass baby bottles. More tips are available at (See www.babystoxicbottle.org for more tips.)

 Visitors to the “Baby’s Toxic Bottle” website can sign a petition to baby bottle manufacturers, urging them to phase out BPA in baby bottles.

The U.S. version of “Baby’s Toxic Bottle” was written by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, and Clean Water Action, in collaboration with Environment Defence, and released in the U.S. by a broad coalition of public health and environmental non-governmental organizations including: Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, Boston Common Asset Management, Breast Cancer Fund, Center for Health, Environment and Justice, Clean New York, Clean Water Action, Environment America, Environmental Health Fund, Environmental Health Strategy Center, Healthy Legacy, Learning Disabilities Association of America, MOMS (Making Our Milk Safe), Oregon Environmental Council, and NJPIRG.