Dear 'Links,
The online petition to the governor to get Bisphenol A out of children's products has gone live! Please help us work to gather 1000 signatures by signing the email petition below and fowarding it to your family, friends and colleagues in Massachusetts. Thank you for your help!
Sign the Petition to Get BPA out of Children's Products!
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a toxic chemical found in polycarbonate plastic that is widely used to make baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, toys, pacifiers, and utensils as well as being in the epoxy resins of cans of baby formula and other foods. Ask Governor Patrick to support the Department of Public Health to regulate toxic baby products containing BPA, and to issue a consumer warning for pregnant women to avoid BPA products.
Click below to sign the BPA Petition Today!
The Department of Public Health (DPH) has the legal power to ban the sale of toxic household products and can insist that the products on our store shelves are safer. We are calling on the governor to support the DPH to ban the sale of all products containing Bisphenol A (BPA), intended for use by children 3 years of age and under, that may be mouthed or ingested, and also to issue a consumer warning to avoid products containing BPA directed to pregnant women, woman planning to become pregnant, and those undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Help us reach 1000 signatures by forwarding this action to family, friends and colleagues in Massachusetts!
About BPA
Where do you find BPA?
BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics, which is widely used for a number of consumer products. Some of you may be surprised to know that many of the most common baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, children's toys, pacifiers, and utensils, on the market are made from polycarbonate plastics that contain BPA. BPA is also found in the epoxy re sins used to line cans of baby food and formula, and can leach into the food.
Are we really exposed to BPA?
BPA can leach out of the polycarbonate plastic or from the epoxy resin into whatever food is stored. Heat increases the amount of leaching, but leaching also occurs at room temperature. A survey conducted by the Centers of Disease Control found BPA in the urine of 93% of Americans - and children had the highest levels!
Why do we care about exposure to BPA?
BPA mimics the hormone estrogen and disrupts the body's endocrine system. Estrogen is an important chemical messenger and when disrupted, many systems in the body can be affected. Based upon animal studies, BPA exposure is linked to early onset of puberty, increased diabetes risk, hyperactivity, and certain cancers, including breast cancer. The developing fetus and young children are in the most danger, because their body's systems are undergoing growth and development. A recent study shows that BPA may lessen the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer.
Demand Protections for Children!
Avoiding BPA in bottles for your children is not enough. BPA is found in numerous other sources and can't be avoided on our own. The Department of Public Health has the authority to regulate toxins in children's and household products, but it needs support from the Governor.
Sign the petition today! http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2155/t/6249/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=404
Thank you for your help.
For more information, contact:
HealthLink
P.O. Box 301
Swampscott, MA 01907
781-598-1115
HealthLink mission: To protect and improve public health by reducing and eliminating toxins and pollutants from our environment through research, education and community action. |
