Maryland BPA ban heads to Governor for approval

Great news this morning: Maryland may be the third state in the nation to pass a ban against bisphenol-A (BPA) .

The BPA Free Baby Bottle act is looking to ban BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups and would go into effect in 2012.

The bill has passed in the Maryland Assembly and Senate, and will now go to the Governor's desk for signature. If passed, Maryland will join Minnesota and Connecticut in banning BPA on the state level.

A similar bill has also passed both houses in Wisconsin and is awaiting approval from Governor Doyle. An article in Treehugger talks about the Wisconsin bill, and the remarkable bi-partisan support for the BPA ban.

Bisphenol-A is a hormone-disrupting chemical, which means that it can mimic or block hormones and disrupt the body's normal functions. It can have health effects at extremely low exposure levels. BPA is especially of concern for vulnerable populations: pregnant women, babies and children. It is used in can linings, register receipts and many hard plastics.

“Baby bottles and sippy cups are one of the greatest sources of exposure to BPA for our little ones, and we commend the Maryland General Assembly for protecting our children from its toxic effects,”
-Maryland PIRG Environmental Health Associate Jenny Levin.

"The Food and Drug Administration should have banned BPA in toddler products years ago. Without strong federal leadership, Maryland had no choice but to act,"
-Senator Brian Frosh, bill sponsor.

“The Maryland Senate has sent a strong message to the state’s parents that their elected leaders are working to protect their children from this harmful substance,"
-Jason Rano of the Environmental Working Group.

Related

Senate OKs BPA ban in bottles, cups for young children. The Baltimore Sun, 02/25/10.
Maryland lawmakers vote to ban BPA. Environmental Working Group, 02/25/10.
MD Senate Approves BPA Ban on Baby Bottles. WBOC Delmarva, 02/25/10.