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Ont. Considers Becoming First Province to Ban Chemical Found in Baby Bottles

Posted on: Tuesday, 20 November 2007, 12:00 CST

By THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO - Ontario can't afford to wait until Ottawa rules on the dangers of a potentially harmful chemical found in common baby products, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Tuesday before meeting with protesters pushing for a ban of bisphenol A.

The governing Liberals are going to appoint a panel of medical experts to study toxins like bisphenol A - found in everything from baby bottles and sippy cups to the lining of food cans - with a view to introducing legislation next year, McGuinty said.

"One of the things we need to ask ourselves is why is it that one in three Ontarians is now developing cancer," he said.

"Why is it that, at the beginning of the 21st century, one in four Ontarians are now dying of cancer? We need to do a better job of understanding the influence of these chemicals, toxins and carcinogens in our environment and (on) our quality of life."

Health Canada is currently studying the risk posed by bisphenol A and expects to report back to the government by May.

Ontario can't afford to wait, McGuinty said.

"If we can work with the feds and capitalize on any studies that they have done, then all the better - but we won't wait for the feds to act if we deem that action is warranted."

McGuinty's resolve came as environmentalists and parents held a rally at the legislature Tuesday to call on the province to ban products laced with bisphenol A.

Rick Smith, with Environmental Defence, said the chemical is unnecessary and he's encouraged that Ontario could be the first province to ban its use.

"We hope we're going to see quick progress on this," said Smith.

Source: Canadian Press

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