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CHILD SAFE PRODUCTS

HBCAC along with advocates across New York State strongly support legislation that protect our children from toxic chemicals and everyday products. The following Child Safe initiatives will help reduce exposure to kids.

Phase out the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in products intended for children.

Bisphenol A, also known as “BPA” is the basic building block of polycarbonate plastic (usually what the #7 recycling symbol means) and epoxy resins. It’s used for a lot of things, and can get into our bodies when it’s used for foodrelated items like baby bottles, sports bottles and food can linings, or dental sealants.

Known to be an estrogen mimicker since the 1930s, Scientific studies with laboratory animals over the past 10 years have identified a series of adverse effects that implicate low-level exposure to BPA in a range of human health problems, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, spontaneous miscarriage, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Over 90% of government-funded studies of BPA at low levels find adverse effects. The Centers for Disease Control found that 93% of Americans have BPA in their bodies. A scientific consensus statement signed by 38 of the world’s leading BPA researchers concluded that the average levels in people are above those that cause harm to animals in laboratory experiments.

There are a number of ways to end use of Bisphenol A for children’s products. For example, mothers can choose glass bottles, or baby bottles made from polyamide (the same kind of chemicals used to make nylon). Polypropylene sippy cups are available. The lining of infant formula cans could be replaced with materials such as Eden Foods (which sells organic canned goods) uses.

Phase out phthalates in toys and child-care products

Phthalates are used to make materials more flexible and resilient. They are found in food containers, plastic wrap, toys, shampoos, perfumes and bath products.

Phthalates, also found in nearly all Americans, Phthalates also have been shown to have hormone-disrupting effects, such as premature birth and genital defects including hypospadias — a birth defect in which the urethra does not extend to the tip of the penis, but rather exits elsewhere along the shaft — and decreased anogenital distance – an indication of male feminization measuring the distance between the anus and the base of the penis in males. Together, these comprise a condition referred to as ‘phthalate syndrome’. Phthalates have also been linked to the falling age of puberty in girls, a risk factor for breast cancer and other estrogenic cancers.

PHTHALATES and BPA– we prefer protecting all children, up to age 13, because there are several critical stages of development, including puberty that can be affected by hormone disruptors. However, since the Assembly chose to advance a phthalates bill that mirrors legislation in California, we’re supporting it as a crucial first step to protect those who are most vulnerable.

This statewide call for action was spearheaded by The JustGreen Partnership, a collaboration of groups working for environmental health and justice for NY people and their communities.