Ottawa - In a precedent-setting move, the government of Canada today
proposed that a chemical commonly found in plastic baby bottles,
reusable water bottles and the lining of some food cans should be
classified as “toxic” under Canadian law. Canada is the first
jurisdiction in the world to consider designating the chemical,
bisphenol A, as hazardous to human health and the environment. For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact: Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence, (416) 323-9521 ext. 232; (647) 280-9521 (cell)
Bisphenol A is found in hard plastic baby bottles
and sippy cups, as well as the lining of some food cans. International
organizations, expert panels and more than 150 peer-reviewed studies
have associated bisphenol A with a variety of health problems (obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer and a wide range of developmental problems), often at surprisingly low levels of exposure.
Since 2005, Environmental Defence has been testing the bodies of
Canadians for measurable levels of pollutants as part of its Toxic
Nation campaign. The testing of Ontario political leaders – Premier
Dalton McGuinty, Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory and NDP
Leader Howard Hampton – was the first study to reveal bisphenol A in
the bodies of Canadians, though US Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention testing has discovered bisphenol A at measurable levels in
almost 95% of Americans. A further Toxic Nation study released in
February found worrisome levels of bisphenol A leaching from
polycarbonate plastic baby bottles sold in Canadian stores. Following
this report, many parents stopped using polycarbonate bottles and have
opted for non-toxic alternatives.
The Canadian government does not restrict the use of bisphenol A in
consumer products but in May 2007, Health Canada added bisphenol A to a
list of 200 substances to be reviewed under the Chemicals Management
Plan. The plan required data on the health and environmental effects
of bisphenol A to be carefully reviewed by both government scientists
and the Chemicals Management Plan Challenge Advisory Panel – an
independent panel of experts.
Today’s decision puts Canada ahead internationally as the first country
to place bisphenol A on a regulatory track. The government is now
expected to propose specific regulatory measures.
A growing list of retailers in Canada has already decided to remove
products with bisphenol A from their store shelves: Mountain Equipment
Co-op, Lululemon, Shoppers Druge Mart, Home Depot Canada, Sears Canada,
Rexall Pharmacies, London Drugs, Wal-Mart Canada, Canadian Tire,
Forzani Group Ltd., and Hudson’s Bay Company.
“The writing is on the wall for this chemical,” said Smith. “More
retailers should get ahead of the curve and follow the lead of
companies that have already stopped selling products containing this
toxic ingredient.”
Environmental Defence’s two-year long campaign to ban bisphenol A in
food and beverage containers will continue to ensure the government
announcement translates into real change and protection for Canadians.
Detailed information about bisphenol A, including the report Toxic Baby Bottles in Canada: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Brands of Polycarbonate Baby Bottles, is available on Environmental Defence’s web site at www.environmentaldefence.ca.
About Environmental Defence (www.environmentaldefence.ca):
Environmental Defence protects the environment and human health. We
research. We educate. We go to court when we have to. All in order to
ensure clean air, clean water and thriving ecosystems nationwide, and
to bring a halt to Canada’s contribution to climate change. Nationwide.
