State house votes to ban chemical from baby bottles

seattlepi.com: "An estrogen-mimicking chemical that some believe can harm babies and children is getting closer to being banned in baby bottles, sippy cups and sports water bottles in Washington.

The House voted 76-21 Thursday to ban bisphenol A, or BPA, from certain consumer items. The bill still must be approved by the Senate before becoming law.

'It is for the good of the children,' Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, said during the House debate. 'BPA is dangerous. It has to be removed now.'

The threat posed by bisphenol A, a chemical used in hard, clear plastics, dental sealants and to line tin cans, has been widely debated."

Some lawmakers Thursday wondered why the ban didn't include more products, such as tin and aluminum cans, if BPA is so dangerous.

How is it that "the science is good enough to say ban it in your REI bottle, but don't ban it in your Pepsi can?" asked Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Bellingham.

Ivy Sager Rosenthal, campaign director for the non-profit Washington Toxics Coalition, said there were fewer alternatives to BPA for lining cans. She said the bill makes sense as a first step.

"It tackles the products that children are exposed to on a daily basis," she said. "It sends a message to the chemical industry that BPA is no longer welcome."