Senator Dianne Feinstein (CA) and Representative Edward Markey (MA) introduced legislation in January 2011 aimed at banning bisphenol-A  from food and beverage containers. BPA is used in hard plastic bottles, food can linings, dental sealants, CDs and other consumer products, and is linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. It was originally developed as a synthetic estrogen, and is now one of the most widely-produced chemicals in the world.

The legislation has re-introduced repeatedly and continues to get stuck in committee, which is not a good sign. While many pieces enter committee, few make it out. However, the good news is that many states and municipalities have taken the initiative to ban BPA, including Maryland, Vermont, California, Connecticut, Minnesota, Washington State, Wisconsin, Chicago, as well as Albany County, Schenectady County and Suffolk County, New York, with other states soon to follow suit. With more states becoming BPA-free, it won’t be long until there is national ban!

Check Out the Tips and Tools for Action to find out how to make your state BPA free!

Additional Resources:

• Tell Congress to Support the Ban Poisonous Additives Act
• May 2010 BPA Study: You have a 9 in 10 chance of eating some BPA with tonight’s dinner

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