A new report from the Breast Cancer Fund, Disrupted Development: the Dangers of Prenatal BPA Exposure reminds us of the importance of Vermont’s 2010 bill to ban bisphenol A (BPA) from certain products – but also highlights how much further we have to go to fully protect Vermonters’ health from toxic chemicals.
In 2010, Vermont banned BPA from reusable food and beverage containers, infant formula or baby food stored in plastic containers, jars or cans. However, BPA continues to be widely used in canned food, receipts and other items not covered by our legislation. This new report summarizes the latest scientific literature, which clearly shows the negative impacts of exposure to BPA while in the womb. The developing fetus is particularly sensitive to the effects of BPA, and prenatal exposure is shown to increase risk for breast cancer, prostate cancer, decreased fertility, early puberty, and more.
The story of BPA shows why the state should take our chemical safety protections to the next level by implementing a chemical regulatory system to systematically examine how we’re being exposure to chemicals of high concern, and take action to protect the health of all Vermonters – even before they’re born.
Click here to read the full text of the report!