Take Action: Comment period on BPA open
June is going to be a critical month for our Bisphenol A (BPA) campaign. If you've been following this story, you know that the Department of Public Health's (DPH) Public Health Council (PHC) met two weeks ago to hear a presentation from the DPH about a proposal for a limited ban on reusable food and beverage containers containing BPA and intended for use by children three and under, which would mean baby bottles and sippy cups. (Read the proposed regulation here.) The PHC has not yet recommended further action, but they still can!
The Department of Public Health has officially opened a public comment period for the proposed regulation that will last until June 30. It is very important that you do everything that you can to let DPH know that you want Massachusetts to phase BPA out of infant formula cans and all reusable food and beverage containers, as well as baby bottles and cups.
Please submit a comment to the DPH by adding your personal statement to our online petition.
Read on to find out about more ways you can help.
This month will include plenty of opportunities for you to take action and tell those in power to expand the regulation:
- Come to a public hearing: During the comment period, the DPH will host two public hearings about the proposed regulation:
- Boston: June 22, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Public Health Council Room, Second Floor, Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA
- Northampton: June 23, 2010 at 1:30 p.m. at the Western Regional Health Office, 23 Service Center Road, Northampton, MA.
Mark your calendar now and please tell us if you can come to one of these hearings! We will let you know more about what to expect as the dates get closer.
- Get others involved: The regulation could be expanded if DPH hears from enough members of the public, so please encourage five friends, family members, and/or coworkers to submit a comment.
- Submit your own comment directly: If you are able to write a longer letter of comment, or would like to write a comment on behalf of an organization, you can send a Word document to Reg.Testimony@state.ma.us (type "BPA" in the subject line), or mail it to: LouAnn Stanton, Office of the General Counsel, Department of Public Health, 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108.
June is going to be a very busy month, and we need your help to make each day count. So help us start off the month right by simply taking a few minutes to submit your comment to the DPH. We will keep you updated on all upcoming events and campaign progress.
