Bisphenol-A is a hot topic these days. Recently, Connecticut and Minnesota passed legislation that bans the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups made with BPA. Chicago and Suffolk County (NY) have also made similar efforts. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has done exceptional work reporting on this very issue. I was initially made aware of BPA by the outstanding work (that I believe has prompted the vast majority of publicity on the subject) of Environmental Working Group which offers a quick-tip sheet on avoiding BPA.
While this legislation is a good first step, it begs to be expanded. Everyone knows that kids put everything in their mouths and babies, when teething, chew on everything. So it would make sense to get plastic out of the way of our children in everything from baby bottles to spoons, toothbrushes and toys. Perhaps with the reshaping of CPSIA we will finally get to a safer place for products our children use but I can only imagine that will take a long time to fully transpire.
Manufacturers (as usual ahead of lawmakers) won't miss an opportunity to profit and are now offering new non-plastic options for baby bottles, sippy cups and tableware. I particularly like BornFree's stainless steel bottle and Sanctus Mundo's stainless steel meal set. It is the best not to have to worry about the chemicals that might be leaching off plastic into my babe's food. If she flings it off her tray, it won't break. And if her sippy cup is in the sun while we're in the park, I don't have to worry about the plastic heating up and off-gassing into her water. The biggest drawback to stainless steel is its weight, but so far that has not posed any challenge for us. (Though I'll admit I did take a hit to the toe during a particularly energized moment.) I like BornFree's bottle over others because the spout is made of BPA and phthlate free plastic. I can't wait for Klean Kanteen to come out with their new sippy cup. It was said to be schedule for release in June, but that hasn't happened yet.
We have a pacifier clip that we use to keep select items from flying out of my daughter's stroller. While it is primarily wood beads, there is one small plastic connector piece. Guess which piece she likes to chew on the most? Ironic, I know. So if given the option, I know she'd go for plastic to chew on. We have opted for regular table spoons, cool washcloths and wooden teething rings to help with her teeth pain.
So my question is, when are we just going to ban the use of these toxic chemicals completely instead of spending an enormous amount of time, energy and money picking individual products on which to apply new rules? Perhaps because a straight line has not been drawn between exposure to bisphenol-A and disease, this issue has not be considered a matter of public health. Why should chemical and product manufacturers profit while their products may be endangering the health of their customers?
Without legislation, where does that leave those who don't know about the dangers of BPA or who don't have the means to choose higher priced and safer products?
