Protecting Public Health from Toxic Bisphenol A (BPA)

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BPA is now present in 95% of Americans.¹ During the last few decades, the substance has become a key ingredient in plastics and resins used in food and beverage containers, and now more than 180 studies link low-dose exposure to many diseases of modern life.²



Most of the clear, shatterproof plastics used to make baby bottles, food storage containers, small kitchen appliances, and rigid water bottles include this material. It is also used in the linings of food, infant formula, beer, and soft drink cans.



BPA has been known as an endocrine disruptor since the 1930s,³ and in the past 10 years, BPA exposure has been linked to a long list of diseases and disorders ranging from infertility, obesity, early puberty, breast and prostate cancer, to diabetes, thyroid malfunction and even attention deficit disorders. These linkages have been observed at extremely low doses, to which most Americans are exposed.⁴

Safer Solutions Can Protect the Most Vulnerable



All published surveys have found the highest concentrations of BPA in children, the most sensitive population to BPA-induced health problems. In response to consumer pressure and mounting scientific evidence, some companies are phasing out BPA from beverage containers, including Playtex, Nalgene, and Toys ‘R’ Us (baby bottles). Eden Organics uses BPA-free cans for its line of bean products.

With the Food and Drug Administration asleep at the wheel, states must act.

Over the past year, BPA has been the focus of increased regulatory and media attention, and Connecticut has the chance to lead the nation on modernized safety standards designed to protect babies and fetuses.



Connecticut Should:

• Phase out BPA in products marketed for young children, including food and beverage containers
• Phase out BPA from food cans
• Prohibit replacement with other toxic hazards

1. Calafat, AM, Z Kuklenyik, JA Reidy, SP Caudill, J Ekong, LL Needham. Urinary Concentrations of Bisphenol A and 4-Nonylphenol in a Human Reference Population. Environmental Health Perspectives 113: 391-395 (2005).

2. Vom Saal, Frederick. University of Missouri. http://endocrinedisruptors.missouri.edu/vomsaal/vomsaal.html

3. Dodds, EC and W Lawson. Molecular structure in relation to oestrogenic activity. Compounds without a phenanthrene nucleus. Proceedings of the Royal Society. London B. 125:222-232 (1938).

4. Meyers, John Peterson. Bisphenol A.
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/bisphenola/bpauses.htm

Table showing the funding for low-dose studies of the chemical bisphenol a (bpa) and the study outcome

** ALL STUDIES USING LABORATORY ANIMALS

SOURCE: http://endocrinedisruptors.missouri.edu/vomsaal/vomsaal.html

Coalition Members Include: Administrative and Residual Employees Union # 4200 (A & R 4200) * Bridgeport East End Community Council* Clean Water Action * Community Health Network of CT * CT Association of Directors of Health (CADH) * CT Association of Public Health Nurses (CAPHN) * CT Association of School Nurses * CT Chapter, American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO-CT) * CT Citizen Action Group * CT Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ) * CT Council on Occupational Safety & Healthy * CT Employees Union Independent * CT Foundation for Environmentally Safe Schools * CT NOFA * CT Nurses Association (CNA) * CT Planned Parenthood * ConnPIRG * CT Public Health Association (CPHA) * CT State African-American Affairs Commission * CT State Council of Machinists * Council 4 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) * Ecological Health Organization (ECHO) * Environment Connecticut * Fairfield County Environmental Justice Network * Greater Hartford Central Labor Council * Interreligious Eco-Justice Network * Milford Environmental Concerns Coalition * Muhammad Islamic Center’s Health Awareness Advisory Council * North Hartford Seniors In Action* Norwalk Federation of Teachers * Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter * Teamsters 559 * Toxics Action Center * The Watershed Partnership * Yale Student Environmental Coalition *

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