The Suffolk Legislature Tuesday voted unanimously to ban polycarbonate baby bottles, a move county officials say would make it the first jurisdiction in the nation to do so.
The vote would ban bisphenol A, widely known as BPA, from baby bottles and sippy cups sold in the county that are intended for children 3 years old or younger. BPA is found in the vast majority of baby bottles. The bill's sponsor, Legis. Steve Stern (D-Dix Hills), said it will protect the county's children from a chemical that some scientific studies suggest may be harmful.
"There are plenty of viable, cost-effective and safe alternatives," Stern said.
Dan Aug, a spokesman for County Executive Steve Levy, said the county executive is "evaluating the legislation and will await further input from an upcoming public hearing."
Full story: http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition
/wednesday/health/ny-poban0412513812mar04,0,3333946.story
Suffolk, NY Vote to Ban BPA Baby Bottles First in Nation
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By Reid J. Epstein
Newsday, March 3, 2009
Straight to the Source
