July 7,  2008

An Update on Safety of  Bisphenol A

Bisphenol  A (BPA) was the subject of a One On One <http://www.promocan.com/PopUp.htm?CD=667&amp;ID=3113&amp;NL=1>  e-mail Message from the President sent to you  by e-mail on April 17, when Health Canada was contemplating listing  Bisphenol A as a dangerous substance under CEPA Toxic guidelines,  which could have had economically damaging affects on some suppliers  and distributors in our industry.    We are  pleased to bring you an update to the situation, according to the  Canadian Plastics Industry Association.    Bisphenol  A is one of the most extensively tested materials in use today. Over  40 years of research has demonstrated that consumer products made  with BPA are safe for their intended uses and there is no basis for  human health concerns from exposure to BPA.    In April,  2008, Health Canada announced its conclusions of its assessment of  Bisphenol A. The assessment reaffirmed the safety of BPA used to  make polycarbonate plastic consumer products. In his announcement,  Health Minister Clement supported the continued safe use of  polycarbonate plastics in bottles and containers clearly stating  “Canadians can continue to use hard [polycarbonate], plastic  re-usable water bottles and plastic tableware if they so choose.”  Health Canada’s proposed action on plastics relates only to  polycarbonate baby bottles and this was deemed as “a precautionary  action” as stated by Minister Clement.    For  more information about Health Canada’s assessment of Bisphenol A  visit www.healthycanadians.ca <http://www.healthycanadians.ca/> .