Ontarians want immediate action from the McGuinty government to protect our children from potentially toxic chemicals, such as Bisphenol A, found in various childrens’ products,” said NDP Environment Critic, Peter Tabuns.

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry about potential toxics in their child’s plastic baby bottles, sippy cups, or toys, and how those toxics may affect childhood development or advance disease in later adulthood,” said Tabuns. “This is clearly a health issue where the provincial government has jurisdiction to act and must do so,” he added.

“There are numerous peer-reviewed studies that associate Bisphenol A with developmental problems and disease. What we need from the McGuinty government is a precautionary approach that immediately removes Bisphenol A from high-use children’s products such as bottles, sippy cups and toys,” Tabuns said.

According to Environmental Defence Canada, Bisphenol A is found in hard plastic baby bottles and sippy cups, as well as the lining of some food cans. More than 130 peer-reviewed studies associated with Bisphenol A with a variety of health problems (obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, breast cancer and a wide range of developmental problems), often at surprisingly low levels of exposure.

“The City of San Francisco is presently working to regulate Bisphenol A in children’s products within its jurisdiction, and Ontario needs to follow their example to reduce exposure of children to toxics found in children’s products and toys,” said Tabuns.

“Ontario’s children and parents need the McGuinty government to stand-up to the chemical industry lobby to get bisphenol A and other toxics out of childrens’ products and toys,” said Tabuns. “And we need them to do it now,” he added.