California Bill Would Ban Certain Bisphenol-A and Phthalate Uses

A bill being debated in the California legislature would ban both bisphenol-A and certain phthalate plasticizers in baby products. Bill AB 319, introduced in the California legislature in February 2005 by Assemblywoman Wilma Chan of Oakland, would ban, effective January 1, 2007, the manufacture, sale, or distribution in commerce of any product intended for children under three years of age that contains the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). The bill describes BPA as “an estrogen-mimicking endocrine disruptor chemical” used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. Most baby bottles are made of polycarbonate, as are many nonglass glazings, including Lexan®.

Regarding phthalate plasticizers, any toy or childcare article containing DEHP, DBP, and BBP in concentrations above 0.1% would be banned, effective in 2007. A more specific ban would be implemented for the phthalate plasticizers DINP, DIDP, or DNOP. For these chemicals, the ban would take effect at the same time and kick in at the same concentration but apply to any toy or childcare article “intended for a child under three years of age