Testimony of Urvashi Rangan, Ph.D.
Director, Technical Policy,
Consumers Union
for the
Oregon State Legislature
Environment and Natural Resources Committee
SB 695
Position: FAVORABLE
March 15, 2011
Consumers Union, the non-profit publisher of Consumer Reports®, magazine, writes in support of SB 695, prohibiting the manufacturing, distributing, selling or offering for sale child’s beverage container, container of infant formula or reusable bottle made or lined with bisphenol A or replacement material that is carcinogenic or is a reproductive toxicant in the state of Oregon. In addition, we support prohibiting the manufacturing, distributing, selling or offering for sale of metal cans made or lined with bisphenol A that contains food unless a label is affixed advising that can is made or lined with bisphenol A.
BPA has been used for years in clear plastic bottles and food-can liners. The chemical has potential links to an array of human health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, cancers, infertility, obesity, sexual problems, and neurological disorders. A 2007 Centers for Disease Control study showed that 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their urine. Another study suggests that BPA stays in the body longer than previously believed. Babies and young children may be particularly vulnerable because they may metabolize BPA more slowly than adults.
Consumers Union has a long history on BPA. We were one of the first organizations to test consumer products for BPA and published our findings on BPA in baby bottles a decade ago, where we warned consumers then about the potential risks.
For the rest of the testimony, click here (PDF format).