Out of state groups lobby for toxic chemicals in Minnesota

You know how we've been hearing a lot about chemicals in children's toys? BPA in baby bottles? Formaldehyde in baby shampoo? Well, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), a trade group representing the world's largest oil and chemical companies has set up shop in Minnesota to try to stop two bills aimed at protecting children from exposure to toxic chemicals.

The BPA Free Baby Products bill (HF326/SF247) would phase out bisphenol A or BPA, a synthetic sex hormone linked to diabetes, breast and prostate cancer, and learning disabilities from baby bottles and "sippy" cups.

The Toxic Free Kids Act (HF250/SF225) would create a framework for evaluating toxic chemicals in children's products. In a nutshell, it would move us towards a system that would make sure our products were safe before they got to the stores. Wouldn't that be nice?

Currently there is no state or federal government oversight to make sure that chemicals ending up in our consumer products are safe. Isn't that crazy?! Healthy Legacy seems to think so. A Minnesota based public health coalition, Healthy Legacy is trying to change the way we do business and is working to transform the way our state and federal governments regulate chemicals.

The threat of losing the BPA market, which profits industry $700,000 every hour is scaring them.

"At any given point the chemical industry usually has 20-30 lobbyists at the capitol," said Lindsay Dahl, the Policy and Media Coordinator for Healthy Legacy. "On a good day we have three."

The chemical companies take their cues straight from the tobacco company's playbook. In fact, they hired the same PR firm the tobacco industry used, Burson-Marstellar. They hire high priced lobby firms; create controversy to scare legislators and cloud the science. While the independently funded science community is unified on their opinion of the harmful effects of BPA, the chemical companies conduct their own research. Ninety three percent of the independent funded studies found that BPA causes harm. None of the industry funded studies have shown harm.

Because of massive public support, the legislation is moving fast, but one committee, Business, Industry and Jobs, which is chaired by Senator James Metzen (DFL-Mendota), stands in its way. "This committee is known as the 'graveyard of environmental policy' in Minnesota" said Jamison Tessneer, Organizing Director for the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group.

(Note: Minnesota's BPA ban passed the Senate Business, Industry and Jobs Committee on April 1; a full Senate vote will be required to pass the legislation.)

(Posted by Peter Starzynski of Healthy Legacy and reprinted from the Minnesota Progressive Project " Out of State Chemical Companies Attempt to Stop Bills that Would Protect Children from Toxins" March 30, 2009.)