Banning BPA on Children’s Products
On Wednesday, May 4th, 2011, the House Public Health Committee took testimony on HB 129, authored by Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), which would ban the use of Bisphenol A in most children's products. Environment Texas strongly supports this legislation. Below is our testimony given at the hearing:
On Wednesday, May 4th, 2011, the House Public Health Committee took testimony on HB 129, authored by Rep. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), which would ban the use of Bisphenol A in most children’s products.
Environment Texas strongly supports this legislation. Below is our testimony given at the hearing:
“Good evening members of the committee, my name is Alejandro Savransky. I’m the field organizer for Environment Texas. We are a statewide, citizen-based, environmental advocacy organization working for clean air, clean water, and open spaces.
We recognize that children are especially vulnerable to exposure to chemicals. There is, in fact, a growing body of scientific evidence that finds that Bisphenol A (or BPA) could cause serious health impacts on children.
For example, more than 200 scientific studies found evidence that link very low doses of BPA to prostate and breast cancer, obesity, altered brain development, cardiac disease, diabetes, and early puberty.
This is a widespread problem since, according to the Center for Disease Control, 93% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies at or above concentrations known to have adverse effects.
The good news is that we don’t have to expose our kinds to these chemicals. There are safer alternatives in the market.
For example, 9 major US retailers, including Krogers, Walmart, CVS, Kmart, Safeway, Sears, and Toys R’ Us have said they will phase our baby bottles with BPA.
If these chemical is used on products used by our most vulnerable citizens, why take the risk? I urge you to support HB 129.”
Authors
Luke Metzger
Executive Director, Environment Texas
As the executive director of Environment Texas, Luke is a leading voice in the state for clean air, clean water, clean energy and open space. Luke has led successful campaigns to win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; to compel Exxon, Shell and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at three Texas refineries and chemical plants; and to boost funding for water conservation, renewable energy and state parks. The San Antonio Current has called Luke "long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state." He has been named one of the "Top Lobbyists for Causes" by Capitol Inside, received the President's Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks, and was chosen for the inaugural class of "Next Generation Fellows" by the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at UT Austin. Luke, his wife, son and daughters are working to visit every state park in Texas.