Ottawa to ban baby bottles containing bisphenol A
April 18, 2008
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BRUCE CAMPION-SMITH
OTTAWA BUREAU CHIEF
OTTAWA—The federal government is moving to ban polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A.
Health Minister Tony Clement announced the proposed move today as he said questions about the chemical compound dictated that the government take "precautionary action."
A draft report by Health Canada found the chemical can endanger infants and the environment, said Clement.
While bisphenol A is widely used – it’s commonly found in plastic baby bottles, water bottles and food containers – Clement said "most Canadians need not be concerned."
"This is because in most instances negative health effects occur at levels much greater than those we are exposed to in Canada."
However, he said newborns and infants could be sensitive to the effects of the chemical during their early development.
That’s why he today revealed a proposed plan to ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles with the chemical. However, the finding won’t mean that BPA will be immediately banned or restricted.
Ottawa is giving the public 60 days to comment on the report, then the government will have one year to issue a final report detailing control measures.
"We have concluded that it’s better to be safe than sorry," Clement told an Ottawa news conference.
Clement said Canada is the first country to act on bisphenol A.
He said the exposure for adults is well within the margin of safety - while conceding there’s no easy alternative to the chemical.
"We concluded the margin of safety is most at risk with newborns," Clement said. Chemical studies on animals have linked BPA to cancer and infertility.
Health Canada and Environment Canada officials told reporters at a technical briefing that, in the best scenario, baby bottles containing BPA will be gone from store shelves in 12 to 15 months.
Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, an advocacy group that has long lobbied to have BPA deemed a toxic agent, lauded the government’s announcement.
“This sends a clear message to the plastics industry that it needs to start reformulating its products,” he said.
“We’ve already seen in the last few days consumers starting to make some different choices.”
Reports earlier this week suggested the government would impose an all-out ban on the contentious chemical, prompting several major Canadian retailers to stop selling products containing BPA.
Sears Canada, Rexall Pharmacies, London Drugs and Home Depot Canada are the latest companies to stop selling products containing BPA.
They join the Forzani Group, Canada’s largest sporting goods retailer; Hudson’s Bay Co., which includes the Bay and Zellers stores; and Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. in ridding their stores of products made with BPA.
HBC spokeswoman Hillary Marshall said consumer demand forced the company to drop all baby bottles containing BPA from its stores.
“That’s been the primary area of concern for most of our customers,” she said. “It’s really been a case in which consumers are really guiding the market, specifically for baby products.”
And the U.S. maker of hard-plastic Nalgene water bottles said Friday it will substitute its line of polycarbonate plastic containers with BPA-free alternatives.
Last year, Mountain Equipment Co-op removed plastic bottles containing BPA from its shelves. Lululemon Athletics Inc. has said all new water bottles arriving in its stores this year will be free of the chemical.
NDP health critic Judy Wasylycia-Leis said Clement should have bumped up the BPA announcement when the leaked report began affecting the marketplace.
“I think the minute the news was out earlier this week about the government considering including this as a toxic substance on the list of dangerous chemicals, he should have immediately acted,” she said.
“There is actual chaos out on the marketplace with retailers wondering what to do.”
BPA has been the material of choice in baby bottles and reusable water bottles for decades because it is lightweight, shatter-resistant and transparent. Other forms of the substance are also used to line cans.
It is also found in sports gear like hockey helmets, electronic equipment, automobiles and CDs and DVDs. “In these products it is safe,” Clement declared.
Concerns have been raised, however, that BPA in polycarbonate products and epoxy linings can migrate into food and beverages.
“Based on our scientific assessment, we can say that this is not a concern for most Canadians,” Clement said.
“And so, while we are on track to ban polycarbonate baby bottles, Canadians can continue to use hard plastic, reusable water bottles and plastic tableware if they so choose.”
Clement assured parents they need not worry while government and scientists are searching for alternative technologies.
“Even now, the nutritional benefits of canned infant formula far outweigh the risks of exposure to bisphenol A,” he said, adding that parents should nevertheless avoid pouring boiling water into polycarbonate baby bottles.
Green party leader Elizabeth May says the government now needs to ban other dangerous chemicals, such as nonylphenol.
That chemical has similar hormone-disrupting properties, and is found in plastics, personal care products, and commercial and household cleaners.
Environment Canada scientists also found low levels of the chemical can harm fish and aquatic organisms over time. Studies indicate it can currently be found in wastewater and sludge treatment plants.
with files from The Canadian Press
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