Bans on BPA Gain Traction

Wisconsin on Wednesday (March 3) became the third state after Connecticut and Minnesota to ban the manufacture of baby bottles and “sippy cups” containing the chemical BPA, or Bisphenol A. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have cited concerns over the chemical, including possible effects on the development of fetuses, babies and young children.

Washington, D.C., and at least nine other states — Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington — are considering similar legislation, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel , which reported today on Wisconsin’s new law . Of these states, Maryland appears poised to become the next to adopt a ban after lawmakers last week sent their bill to Governor Martin O’Malley, according to The (Baltimore) Sun .

Jim Doyle, Wisconsin’s governor, sees his state’s new law as a possible national trend-setter, according to the Journal-Sentinel . “As more and more states ban this, it becomes impractical for any manufacturer to use BPA in the manufacture of these bottles and cups,” the governor said.

Wisconsin’s law, which takes effect in June, bans the manufacture and wholesale of baby bottles and cups containing BPA and requires them to be labeled “BPA Free,” the Journal-Sentinel reported. The bill passed unanimously in the state Senate and 95-2 in the Assembly.