San Francisco Bans Bisphenol-A in Some Applications

In June 2006, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors enacted the nation’s first ban on some products containing bisphenol-A (BPA), used to make the hard plastic polycarbonate as well as most epoxies. BPA, an endocrine disrupter, has been linked to a range of health effects—most recently prostate cancer (see

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Vol. 15, No. 7). The San Francisco ordinance, which takes effect on December 1, bans the manufacture, distribution in commerce, and sale of products that contain any amount of BPA and are intended for use by children under three years of age; this includes baby bottles, pacifiers, and toys. The ordinance also bans some applications of six forms of phthalates, used to soften some plastics.