Let’s ban BPA in Maine!

Our state has an impressive record of leadership when it comes to protecting our health. In 2008, the Maine State Legislature passed the “Kids Safe Products Act” – and now,  after a lot of hard work by people like you, the law is finally ready to be fully implemented with the State set to ban the first harmful chemical from its list of over 1,700 chemicals of high concern.

What’s the lucky chemical? BPA. Bisphenol A is a chemical that has been linked to breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, obesity, and learning disabilities, and reproductive health problems.

These health effects are particularly pronounced for women. According to a Natural Resources Defense Council and Safer Chemicals Health Families Report,

“BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that mimics estrogen, the female sex hormone essential for the development and function of reproductive organs … fetal exposure to BPA is linked to developmental and reproductive harm including earlier onset of puberty, increased susceptibility to breast and prostate cancer … BPA also has been associated with miscarriages and infertility …”

But it’s not all bad. Maine has the opportunity to join a handful of pioneering states across the country to ban BPA and lead the way in environmental health policy – again.

But, we can’t do it without your help!

On Thursday, August 19, 2010, the Board of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing at the Augusta Holiday Inn/Ground Round at 12:30 p.m. to discuss a BPA ban for Maine.

And, we want you to be there! We need a strong public turnout and many written public comments in order to combat the BPA lobby’s arguments against a ban.

E-mail Anne at asheldon@mainewomen.org to sign up to attend, or for more information about the hearing – your attendence could make all the difference.

Can’t make it but still want to make a difference? Click here to submit a written statement in support of the BPA ban.

Not persuaded yet? Check out this fantastic Opinion Piece written by Colby Student, Blair Braverman.