California Assembly rejects proposed BPA ban

14 September 2009 22:20  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The effort by some California legislators to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in children’s sippy cups, baby bottles and goods marketed toward children aged 3 and younger has failed, the bill’s author said on Monday.

Two rounds of voting last week yielded 31 and 35 votes in favour of its passage, enough for a majority but falling short of the 41 yes votes needed to pass the California state Assembly.

The bill was moved to the inactive file, but it could be considered again in 2010.

State Senator Fran Pavley, who wrote the bill (SB 797), said that the chemical industry mounted an “all-out assault” against the measure. Opponents included Dow Chemical and SABIC Innovative Plastics, she said.

“The chemical industry successfully used misinformation and fear tactics to kill my bill,” Pavley charged. “Unfortunately, some California lawmakers were unable to see through a web of lies fuelled by greed and therefore put our children in harm’s way.”

Pavley cited a recent investigation from the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, which accused the plastics industry of downplaying potential health risk associated with BPA.

There have been various studies linking BPA to heart disease, cancer and reproductive problems.

BPA, a building block for polycarbonate (PC) and epoxy resins, is found in a myriad of products. PC makers have said the goods falling under the ban make up about 5% of their total market.

Minnesota and Connecticut as well as several cities and counties imposed BPA bans earlier this year.

The American Chemistry Council, Grocery Manufacturers Association and International Formula Council also opposed the ban, saying more study is needed on BPA’s health effects.

Additional reporting by Ben Lefebvre

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By: Ben DuBose
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