Amy Traub

Chicago Looks Out for the Kids

That plastic sippy cup your toddler drinks out of every day may not cause abnormal changes in brain cells, produce developmental and behavioral changes, or increase her risk of cancer or diabetes. The science around bisphenol-A, (also known as BPA) a chemical used to make the polycarbonate plastic used in a range of consumer products for babies and adults, remains inconclusive.

The chemical industry has funded studies showing that the chemical is perfectly safe. Independent researchers see cause for concern, and critique the methodology of the industry-backed research. It could all take some time to get sorted out.

Chicago isn’t waiting around to find out. This week, the city outlawed the sale of products intended for children under age three that contain BPA. The action follows a statewide ban recently enacted in Minnesota and a ban in Canada enacted last year.

Meanwhile the U.S. government continues to drag its feet. Last year the Food and Drug Administration declared the chemical safe, even as public interest groups raised the alarm about potential conflicts of interest in its evaluation.

It looks an awful lot like yet another case of a powerful industry muddying the scientific waters to continue cashing in on products and practices they know are hazardous to public health. If so, we can hope the Obama Administration will restore scientific integrity and put an end to corrupt regulatory decision-making. In the meantime, parents with the resources to be informed about the potential risk can seek out alternative products.

But what about the rest of us? The value of what Chicago and Minnesota (as well as Nassau County, New York) have done cannot be underestimated. By enacting their own bans, these jurisdictions are simultaneously protecting their own citizens, putting pressure on the federal government to act, and setting an example for other states and local governments weary of waiting for the feds. That’s one reason why it’s critical to avoid the federal preemption of strong state and local laws.

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Posted at 3:02 PM, May 15, 2009 in Consumers | Science Policy
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