Maine may limit use of BPA
By John Richardson jrichardson@mainetoday.com
Staff Writer
The state may ban some uses of a controversial plastic additive as its first "priority chemical" under a new toxic chemical control law.
Maine's Department of Environmental Protection is recommending that bisphenol-A, or BPA, be banned from use in reusable food and beverage containers such as baby bottles and water bottles sold in the state. It also wants to designate BPA as the state's first priority chemical, which would require all manufacturers to notify the state if BPA is in their products and if it may come into contact with children.
Maine's Board of Environmental Protection, which oversees the new chemical rules, voted today to hold a public hearing on the proposal on Aug 19. Written comments will be accepted through Aug. 30.
Bisphenol-A is used to make polycarbonate plastic and is used in the epoxy resins that line food cans, including many infant formula cans, according to the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine. BPA exposure has been linked to a number of health problems, such as ADHD, breast and prostate cancer, reproductive damage, diabetes, and obesity, according to the group.
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9 COMMENTS
meta5 said...
government intruding once again
June 17, 2010 at 2:22 PM Report abuse
PatsFanStill said...
I knew there was a reason I was overwieght and have diabetes! Now, who do I sue?
June 17, 2010 at 2:37 PM Report abuse
weatherfreak said...
Glass just keeps looking better and better.
June 17, 2010 at 2:55 PM Report abuse
O_o said...
"according to the group." THATS PROOF ENOUGH FOR ME. and they say maine is anti-business? where to these guys come up with this stuff.
June 17, 2010 at 3:11 PM Report abuse
birdie05 said...
Can't believe these comments. Who else is supposed to take over this? This is the purpose of government - evaluating and protecting - for the benefit of the people. Just wish they'd do a better job with imports from China.
June 17, 2010 at 3:49 PM Report abuse
Scholar said...
Yes meta5 and just the type of "intrusion" that government needs to provide because profit-making businesses will sometimes make their profit regardless of damages to human and environmental health.
June 17, 2010 at 4:17 PM Report abuse
backwrdstate said...
I guess things are improving. Only a few right wingnuts here protesting an act of simple consumer protection. One wonders how this small group even manage to survive. I am sure that they would have protested the banning of thalidomide in its day. And they probably keep a stockpile of good ol' DDT in their garage. Their message to the bald eagle? Suck it up, business comes before your survival.
June 17, 2010 at 5:11 PM Report abuse
notspot said...
No problem, meta...Continue to buy your products from China where they're made with little if any oversight. Lead in food? Pfffffttttt...
June 17, 2010 at 7:41 PM Report abuse
David said...
This after the studies are showing that any "risk" has been greatly exaggerated -- and that the chemical is only released when the containers are exposed to very high temperatures. We not only elect idiots, we hire them, too.
June 17, 2010 at 9:16 PM Report abuse