Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), issued the following statement today on a new study published by the medical journal, Pediatrics, which found that gestational bisphenol A (BPA) exposure for pregnant women is linked to anxious, depressive and hyperactive behavior in girls as early as three years old.  The study tested urine samples of nearly 250 mothers and children.

“The Pediatrics study released today is another red flag and adds to the already mounting evidence that exposure to BPA, particularly at critical stages of a child’s development, is linked to harmful health effects.

“With each new study, there is more cause for concern, yet the lobbying effort against getting this chemical out of products is powerful.   Small steps have been taken by retailers, manufacturers, the industry, and at the state level, but we need to go farther, and this study exemplifies why we need to be concerned. 

“It astounds me that some continue to put chemicals ahead of healthy babies.  We should not continue to act as guinea pigs for chemical companies.  It is time to ban BPA.”

Senator Feinstein is the sponsor of S. 136, the Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2011, which would establish a federal ban on the chemical bisphenol A in baby bottles, sippy cups, baby food, and infant formula.

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