The Senate Health Committee voted 6-3 to approve and send to the Senate floor SB 1713, the “Toxin-Free Toddlers and Babies Act,” by Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay).

The bill bans any detectable level of the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) from all toys and child care products sold in California. Bisphenol A is a widely used synthetic chemical and a key ingredient in plastics, including baby bottles, formula cans and the lining of other canned products.

“Today´s vote is an important step toward protecting the health and well-being of California´s children,” Senator Migden commented. “California is now at the forefront of efforts worldwide to protect infants and children from this dangerous chemical,” added Senator Migden.

In addition to California, eight states are moving legislation that phases out or prohibits BPA in children´s products. In addition, U.S. Senator Schumer (D-NY) introduced a bill this week called the “BPA-Free Kids Act” which would ban BPA in all consumer products intended for children under 7.

Canada´s top drug and chemical regulatory agency, Health Canada, recently designated the chemical as a dangerous substance for children´s products. It is the first regulatory body in the world to make that determination. Health Canada is the equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Wal-Mart and Toys”R”Us have already taken steps to pull children´s products containing BPA off their shelves.

In addition, the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NTP), part of the National Institutes of Health, recently reported that the chemical may be linked to serious reproductive and developmental problems associated with prostate cancer, breast cancer and early puberty. The NTP expressed concern that children and babies may particularly be in danger from even low levels of the chemical.