Published Date: 

08/26/2010

Byline: 

Amy B. Dean

News Source: 

The Nation

After less than three days under orders to avoid drinking, washing hands, or cooking with tap water, celebrations of relief took many forms. And many discovered they had a whole new perspective about turning on the tap.

Becky Smith, water coordinator for Clean Water Action, a nonprofit citizens advocacy group, said yesterday that the reaction to the leak shows that people tend to assume they will always have clean water.

New England is rich in water resources, she said, but the vast plumbing network that treats it and delivers it to the kitchen sink is seldom given much thought.

“Infrastructure that is underground and out of sight is out of mind, until there is a problem there,’’ Smith said.

Three candidates for governor expressed sharp differences last night over global warming, the Cape Wind project, and the cleanliness of the state’s parks at a gubernatorial forum dedicated to environmental issues. ...

The event was sponsored by about 30 environmental groups, and each of the candidates spoke separately for about 20 minutes before fielding questions.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - A 20 foot baby bottle was displayed in the center of Northampton on Wednesday. Protesters put up this inflatable bottle to alert people to the dangers of BPA.

... "It's linked to obesity, hyperactivity, to learning disabilities. It's linked to thyroid problems breast cancer and prostate cancer," said Elizabeth Saunders of Clean Water Action.

Clean Water Action said that many parents know not to buy bottles made with BPA. But, they don't realize that some of the packaging their baby's food and formula comes in may contain BPA.

Members of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow are pushing for regulations that would further restrict the presence of bisphenol A. The chemical is used in a wide variety of products, including plastic bottles and the linings of canned food containers. Studies of laboratory animals have suggested the chemical could cause developmental problems for children if they are exposed to small quantities early in life.

Alliance members want the state to prohibit BPA in packaging for infant formula and baby food as well as all reusable food and beverage containers.

Some industrial chemical with your green beans, ravioli or chicken noodle soup?

A new study says Bisphenol A, or BPA, which is used in the lining of metal cans, regularly leeches into the food they contain, potentially exposing people to harmful levels of the substance.

...The workgroup noted the Mass. Department of Public Health is looking at taking action against the use of BPA in baby bottles and cups. More action is needed to protect baby formula and food, said Elizabeth Saunders, legislative director for Clean Water Action and coordinator of the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, both of which helped coordinate the study.

When the Patrick administration earlier this year called for a state ban on the use of the controversial chemical bisphenol-A (or BPA) in certain products, environmental activists reacted with guarded praise.

...In response, the environmental group Clean Water Action said it was "pleased" by the governor's move, but worried that it wouldn't go far enough. As an example of BPA legislation, Patrick had cited a 2009 Minnesota law that bans the chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups. But, CWA noted, that law does not apply to two other potential sources of BPA exposure: baby formula cans and baby food containers, both of which can be lined with a plastic containing the chemical.

BOSTON — Public health officials in Massachusetts are proposing a statewide ban on Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles and children’s sippy cups due to health concerns about the chemical.

The activist group Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow criticized the proposed ban. The group says it does not provide enough of a safeguard for children because it does not include infant formula containers and baby food packaging. And some industry officials have said a statewide ban would be premature until additional research on the chemical is conducted.
Some studies have found that BPA, which can leach out of its packaging into food and liquids, is present in the urine of 93 percent of the U.S. population.

BOSTON — Advocates for the elimination of toxics in household supplies say the regulation being considered by the Public Health Council falls short of what is necessary to protect children.

“Unfortunately, we still have on the market infant formula food packaging that has BPA linings in the packaging,” said Elizabeth Saunders, an official with Clean Water Action, part of a coalition fighting toxics in consumer goods. “The regulation that was proposed is going to do very little to change the market. If we’re going to protect children’s health, we need to be taking the next step and going further.”

After a yearlong review, environmental officials announced yesterday that they are continuing a 15-year-old moratorium on expanding or building new incinerators.