Toronto:   The federal government announcement on BPA does not completely protect human health and the environment from the impacts of BPA. The government proposes to take action to prohibit the “import, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles” but excludes action on other sources of BPA including dental sealants, food can linings, plastic drinking bottles and various industrial applications. 

BPA is suspected of being a cancinogen, endocrine disruptor and reproductive and developmental toxicant. 

“The designation of BPA as a CEPA toxic to environment and health is a long time coming.”  states Fe de Leon, researcher for the Canadian Environmental Law Association, “However, the proposed government action excludes hundreds of sources of BPA to continue the status quo therefore leaving the environment and rest of human population susceptible to exposure to BPA.”   

“The prohibition of BPA in baby bottles will ensure protection to babies from one source of BPA.  However, babies and the rest of  Canadians will continue to be exposed if we drink soup or juice from cans that are contaminated with BPA. How could the proposed action on BPA result in a reduction of BPA in humans?”  The federal government expects to rely on a stakeholder process and voluntary tools to consider additional management strategies for other sources of BPA.

“The Canadian Environmental Protection Act calls for the use of pollution prevention as the priority approach to environmental protection,” says Hugh Benevides, CELA staff counsel. “Given the health effects of Bisphenol-A and its extensive use in consumer products and industrial applications, it is unfortunate that the government has not proposed more comprehensive prohibitions.” 

  
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For more information:

Fe de Leon, Researcher, 416-960-2284 ext. 223