A recent news release by Environmental Working Group highlights a study of infant cord blood commissioned by  Rachel’s Network and Environmental Working Group.  This is the first study to detect Bisphenol A (BPA) in umbilical cord blood.   Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical present in plastics and a powerful endocrine disruptor.

As we reported in October, a separate study (download full report PDF) published by the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill showed that if a woman is exposed to plastics that leach BPA during her pregnancy,  the baby’s nervous system might be adversely affected.  Consequences include aggressive behavior and hyperactivity.

These studies come in the wake of the failure of the State of California to ban BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups and infant formula, which increase the exposure to BPA of infants who are born already burdened by this powerful endocrine-disrupting chemical.

We at the Plastic Pollution Coalition demand that  Governments intervene immediately and protect the public in general and children in particular  from exposure to BPA and other toxic chemicals leached by plastics, especially when scientific research has already established a more than plausible risk to human health. In some legal systems, as in the law of the European Union, the precautionary principle is a general and compulsory principle of the law.  Unfortunately, this is not the case in the US.

In the face of governmental apathy, and collusion with the plastic industry lobbyists, time has come for us citizens to raise awareness and start a social movement to demand legislation to ban BPA.

Here are some quotes from the news release by Environmental Working Group.  The full text can be read here.

The findings provide hard evidence that U.S. infants are contaminated with BPA beginning in the womb.

The tests identified the plastics chemical in 9 of 10 cord blood samples from babies of African American, Asian and Hispanic descent.

“This study proves newborns are exposed to BPA in the womb,” Jacob said. “After they are born, they’ll encounter more BPA by drinking from a bottle, drinking canned infant formula and, eventually, eating canned food like ravioli and chicken noodle soup.”

“America’s system for regulating toxic chemicals is broken. The legislation I am currently drafting will strengthen chemical safety laws and give Americans confidence that products they use are safe.”

Embedded below is a video by Dr. Frederick vom Saal, Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri and an expert in the study of the effects of BPA.