The State Senate and Assembly have approved legislation prohibiting the manufacture, distribution, and sale of certain child products containing bisphenol-A (BPA) which are intended for use by or upon a child.
The law prohibits the use of BPA in products intended for children three years of age or under. Child products targeted include pacifiers, unfilled beverage containers, baby bottles, baby bottle lines and cups, cup lids, straws, and sippy cups. Provisions in the law lay out civil penalties for violations that occur.
The legislation passed unanimously through both houses, with the Senate voting 58-0 and the Assembly approving the bill 113-0.
“New York State has taken a significant step forward in the battle to remove BPA from products designed for infants and young children,” says Assemblyman Steven Englebright (D-Setauket). “Until the Federal government acts decisively on BPA we must continue to push the envelope through state legislative action and public awareness campaigns until BPA ceases to be an issue because it is no longer used in children’s products.”
BPA is an estrogen-mimicking endocrine disrupter chemical used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics, and is the main ingredient in hard polycarbonate plastics. BPA has been linked to breast and prostate cancer, early-onset puberty, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Four counties in New York have enacted local laws restricting the use of BPA in sippy cups and baby bottles. New York State joins other states in trying to combat child exposure to BPA. Vermont, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maryland, and Connecticut have enacted similar laws. In addition, Canada has announced that it is placing strict limits on BPA in infant formula cans, and WalMart Canada has announced that it will immediately stop selling baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers, and water bottles that contain BPA.