Legislation was sent to Gov. Jerry Brown today to ban the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups containing a chemical linked in laboratory tests to health problems.
The measure, Assembly Bill 1319, would prohibit the sale, manufacture or distribution of infant bottles or cups containing bisphenol A -- known as BPA -- beginning in July 2013.
The bill, by Assemblywoman Betsy Butler, D-Marina del Rey, cleared its final legislative hurdle today when the Assembly concurred in Senate amendments, 42-19. The vote was largely along party lines, with most Democrats but no Republicans voting yes.
Senate amendments narrowed the bill by removing prohibitions on BPA in baby foods or formula.
Supporters of AB 1319 claim that BPA is a health hazard linked to early puberty, childhood obesity, breast cancer, autism, hyperactivity and other long-term medical problems.
Opponents question the validity of laboratory tests involving the chemical, saying that adverse effects have occurred only at doses so high that humans are not likely to experience them, according to a legislative analysis.
Brown has not taken a position on the bill.
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