Paul Dewar presents bill to prohibit the use of bisphenol A

OTTAWA – NDP MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) has tabled a bill to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in consumer products. “The hormonal disruption caused by BPA poses a serious threat to the health of our community” said Dewar. “It’s time for the government to ban the use of the chemical in consumer products”.

BPA is a chemical compound known to mimic the female hormone estrogens and could lead to hormonal disruptions such as early puberty. Recent studies have indicated that BPA exposure during development can produce precursors of breast cancer. In men, exposure to BPA causes lowered sperm count and infertile sperms.

“The compound can be found in a wide range of consumer products, including baby bottles and sippy cups” said Dewar. “Any delay in banning BPA means greater exposure and greater risk to the health of Canadians”.

Dewar’s bill will prohibit the use of BPA in food and drink packaging, including food cans, beverage cans, bottle tops and plastic containers for beverages including bottled water. The use of BPA will also be prohibited in products designated to feed infants, reusable water bottles and dental polymers.

Some Canadian retailers such as Mountain Equipment Co-op have shelved products using BPA voluntarily pending Health Canada’s examination of the health risks of BPA. “Canadian families and some Canadian manufacturers are far ahead of the government in doing the right thing,” concluded Dewar. “It’s time for the government to take leadership and completely ban the use of BPA now”.