[twitter]I am floored as I write this.

I started to think this morning, as I did more research on BPA and who says it’s okay, and who says it’s bad, that the manufacturers were behaving like big tobacco back in the day.

You know, throwing out studies saying their products were just fine, thank you very much, while governments took steps to ban them.

Polycarbonates are used in thousands of consumer products such as reusable food containers, lifesaving medical devices and sport safety equipment. Manufacturers of such products, including baby bottles use polycarbonate because it prevents cracking, shattering and other hazards that can lead to injuries. The key concern for parents is whether BPA can get into their child’s food through leaching from polycarbonate bottles.

That’s directly from the Avent website, one of the most popular manufacturers of baby bottles because their nipples are very representative of the human form. Jen’s friends all recommended Avent to us. This morning Jen called the company and, sure enough, they copped to the BPA and admitted their bottles have a recycle number of 7.

So Jen called the recycling depot and guess what? The bottles are NOT recyclable. They’re nasty, nasty, nasty.

I’ve been spreading the word amongst other parent bloggers that I know, including Dutch Blitz and Laughing Alone in the Dark to get the BPA alert out to other new parents. I saw a mention over at DaddyTypes just now, and I immediately ran to the blog.

The bottle manufacturers have heard the sabre rattling. They get that HBC, Canadian Tire, WalMart and others are removing BPA products from the shelves, and they’re fighting back – by saying nothing’s wrong.

Found in a wide variety of products, lightweight and shatter-resistant polycarbonate plastic has been the material of choice in baby bottles for 25 years. The potential for exposure to bisphenol A from bottles has been extensively examined and the results reviewed by government bodies worldwide that have responsibility for assessing the safety of consumer products.

“The findings in NTP’s draft report provide reassurance that consumers can continue to use products made from BPA,” said Robert Waller, Jr., CAE, president of JPMA. “Sound and respected scientific research has consistently shown there is no danger to consumers when products are used as intended.”

There is significant data available on the safety of BPA. From baby bottles and food packaging, to bicycle helmets and eyeglass lenses, as well as incubators and components of many life-saving medical devices, polycarbonate plastic makes everyday lives better and safer.
[source]

It doesn’t make sense.

If it is so harmless, why is the Canadian government moving to label it a toxic substance? The use of BPA is so widespread, that to remove it from shelves will have significant impact. Why go through the hassle if it’s “no big deal” as JPMA and Avent would have us believe.

Cigarettes are killers. The tobacco company lied about it for decades before getting caught.

Now baby bottles are dangerous and the manufacturers are lying about it too? These are
BABIES we’re talking about. INFANTS. Our CHILDREN.

Why are you LYING to me about the health and safety of my child?

The Blog According to Buzz. Spread the word, ya heard?