THIS JUST IN FROM THE HEALTHY CHILD BLOG.
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Beginning 2008 with a promising note, students from El Colegio Charter School in Minneapolis took it upon themselves to spread the word about toxic chemicals such as Bisphenal-A (BPA) .

BPA is generally found in plastic products to harden them and is also used to coat aluminum and tin food cans. It is alarming that BPA can be found in water bottles, baby bottles and sippy cups.

After realizing the health risks caused by exposure to BPA, the students started educating mothers and mothers-to-be at an Early Childhood and Family Education, or ECFE, class. Sixteen year old Keith Weller explained to the class that BPA is a synthetic estrogen. Studies linked BPA to potential causes for breast and prostate cancers, low sperm count and miscarriages.

"Even at low exposure levels, bisphenol A or BPA is a potent hormone disruptor," says Weller. "As low as two parts per billion BPA exposure affects our health. That's pretty much two grains of salt for 110 pounds of mashed potatoes."

Students learned about BPA in their environmental class that uses a program (started by? Initiated by? Funded by? ) by the nonprofit Eco Education.

Physicians and other guest speakers in the class discussed toxins that pregnant women expose their newborns to through breast milk which transmits nutrients along with chemicals to the newborns.

The students started making changes in their own lives after learning about BPA and other toxins found in products bought daily. Tenth grader Mary Hapton created so much awareness in the girls' group in her school that they decided against selling BPA tained Nalgene bottles to raise money.

The students' efforts were funded by a grant from Eco Education. The students educated their parents and friends and encouraged them to call companies that don't label their products. They also informed them that safer plastics are labeled with recycling numbers 1,2,4 and 5.

The grant allowed the students to give out BPA free baby products.

Several state legislatures, including those of California and Minnesota, have considered, but not passed, bills limiting use of BPA. In 2007, Prince Georges County Del. James W. Hubbard, a Democrat, introduced a bill outlawing use of BPA in baby products, including toys and bottles. The bill was voted down; Hubbard will try again in the January legislative session.

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