BPA in baby bottles: The Senate debate. Updated.

The Senate is debating a bill to ban BPA (bisphenol-A) in baby bottles, sports water bottles and food containers meant for children and toddlers. This version of the bill, unlike one passed by the House, does not include sports water bottles.

Sen. Karen Keiser: “Just this month, the national toxics program and the Food and Drug Administration issued a statement … that they have some concern” that BPA effects reproductive and developmental effects. She said “some concern” is level three of five on the FDA scale. “Rather than worry, let’s take the worry away,” Keiser said. BPA is used to harden plastic.

Keiser said for plastics in your home now, here’s what you can do: Throw it away (or recycle it) if it’s scratched and don’t microwave baby bottles. Keiser said the bill was a small step, and a statement.

But Sen. Cheryl Pflug said the report was mischaracterized. She said there are concerns in rodents. “With this, we are going to make the public go out and buy all new sippy cups” even though they aren’t sure that it’s harmful. “There are no studies — zero studies … about the alternative,” she said. “It’s a statement alright, though not one I’m willing to make.”

Sen. Jerome Delvin:  “There’s no science for this … my sister designs plastics. There’s no scientific evidence.” He said the bill would make people feel good, but it won’t do anything. He said the Legislature should get government out of the way and let people make a choice about what they want to buy.

The bill passed 36 to 9.

Here is the bill explainer.

And here’s the video:

Tags: baby bottles, BPA