Portland observer., October 19, 2011, Page 7, Image 7

®*!* Ç ortlanh (Observer
O ctober 19, 2011
Page 7
L aw
Toxic Chemical in Bottles Targeted
County Chair
proposes ban to
protect kids
by M indy C ooper
T he P ortland O bserver
Multnomah County Chair Jeff
Cogen has introduced a county ban
’on baby bottles, sippy cups and
other re-usable containers that con­
tain the in d u stria l ch em ical
Bisphenol A, which environmental
activists claim to be harmful for kids.
Cogen ’ s proposal picks up where
state lawmakers left off, after a state
initiative failed to prohibit the sale
of products containing the chemi­
cal, which is produced in large
amounts and widely used to make
resins and polycarbonate plastics,
including baby bottles, linings of
metal food and baby formula cans.
According to the Centers for Dis­
ease Control’s National Health and
N utrition Exam ination Survey,
Bisphenol A exposure was found
among 93 percent of Americans age
6 and up during a test in 2007, and
babies and infants are considered
the most vulnerable to the health
effects of the chemical because of
differences in metabolism and body
size between infants and adults.
when we don’t have to? This is a have responded to the concern by
preventative action that the county offering people alternatives.”
is proposing to take.”
Although he said the manufac­
A cco rd in g to M u ltn o m ah turing industry’s voluntary action
County Health Division, the higher is a good thing, the policy approach
levels of exposure to the chemical of the county would take preventa­
can be attributed to the pervasive tive measures further.
use of comer markets and dollar
“If we change the m otivation in
stores to purchase infant formula th e m a rk e t by b a n n in g th e
and baby bottles because many Bisphenol A containing contain­
families in urban low-income com­ ers, it ju st com pletes the process
munities are less likely to shop at the industry has already started,”
p lac es th at c arry a ffo rd a b le he said. “We think from the public
Bisphenol A-free products.
health and science perspective,
Oxman said the media coverage a there is good evidence and a good
few years back on the dangers of the rationale for doing this.”
A proposed Multnomah County ban on plastic bottles that contain
chemical resulted in a variety of
Multnomah County would join
the toxic chemical Bisphenol A is geared toward baby bottles,
changes in the plastics used by Washington and California if the
sippy cups and other containers.
several companies.
ban on products containing the
The highest levels of exposure, chemical to impact thyroid func­
“You see a ton of aluminum and chemical were to be successful.
however, are found in African tion, brain growth, changes in be­ stainless steel bottles now,” he said.
County commissioners will take
Americans, women and low-income havioral development, and breast “You weren’t seeing that three or public comment during a hearing on
families.
and prostate cancer, and there is a four years ago, but the industries Thursday, Oct. 27.
“The chemical is likely to have a good amount of scientific knowl­
disproportionate impact on low in­ edge that says this chemical is harm­
THE LAW OFFICES OF
come people and some communi­ ful to babies.
ties of color because breast feeding
“From a public health perspec­
is lower,” said Dr. Gary Oxman, tive, this is a significant issue,” said
Multnomah county health officer. Oxman. “It is something where we
“W hen you have a com m unity have widespread exposure, particu­
where there is less breast feeding, larly in infants, and there are good
Attorney at Law
that means people are more depen­ alternatives that don’t contain this
dent on feeding using baby bottles.” chemical.”
According to Oxman, labs and
The real question is, he said, “why
1549 SE Ladd
scientific research have shown the should we expose babies to this
Patrick John Sweeney, PC.
Patrick John Sweeney
Portland, Oregon
MMMMH
Ceasefire Oregon to
Collect Guns for $50
The Ceasefire Oregon Educational Foundation
will be holding a Gun Turn-In event on Saturday, Oct.
22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Memorial Coliseum.
All guns, working or not working, will be accepted
with no questions asked. Each person turning in a
firearm will receive a $50 Fred Meyer gift certificate
for each workable firearm or a $5 Burgerville certifi­
cate for all non-working firearms. Ammunition and
BB guns will also be accepted.
For the last 15 years, Ceasefire Oregon has col­
lected over 7,500 guns for such turn-ins and raised
the awareness of the risks and responsibilities of gun
ownership, including the importance of safe storage.
"Don’t let your family feel the impact of gun
violence," said Julie Wheeler, one of the faithful
volunteers for the education foundation. "The sta­
tistics show that a gun in the home is much more likely
to be used against you instead of to protect you.”
Wheeler said the collection of guns is not about
the Second Amendment.
“We just want those unwanted and unwarranted
firearms away from where they can cause harm - in
some cases, fatal harm," she said.
Because the guns collected are destroyed, the
gun you turn in will never get into the wrong hands
which means you will help reduce the number of gun
accidents, suicides, and homicides.
This event is co-hosted by the City of Portland
M ayor’s Office and the Portland Police Bureau.
Portland:
Hillsoboro:
Facsimile:
Email:
(503) 244-2080
(503) 244-2081
(503) 244-2084
Sweeney @ PDXLawyer.com
The Billy Webb Elks Lodge <6 n Tiiiamook so
presents:
Every Sunday Night
Portland's Own Lady of Jazz - Shirley Nanette
6-9 PM - Free Adm ission
October 21 st, 22nd and 28th
DJ Michael Morris Performing
9PM - Until late
$5.00 Cover Charge
Martin Luther King
Memorial Dedicated
President Barack Obama and his family
look up at the Martin Luther King Jr.
Memorial on the National Mall in Washing­
ton, D.C. On the discourse in politics today,
Obama said Americans could learn some­
thing from King about the tone o f debate.
Learn to Line Dance Friday Nights
Its Ladies Night; ladies Vi Price ($2.50); Men
($5.00) Starts @ 7PM; includes Michael Morris.
A ’’Worthy Affair”
11/19 Fashion Show and Dance
9PM-1AM
$15 - $20