Lead, Bisphenol A (BPA) Results in 5,600 Canadians Significant

Environmental Defence congratulates federal government and looks forward to further leadership

TORONTO, Aug. 16 /CNW/ - Results of testing for lead and the hormone disrupting chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in 5,600 Canadians released by Statistics Canada today is a significant step by the federal government to track chemical exposure in Canadians, said Environmental Defence, the national environmental group that spearheaded the campaign to get BPA banned in plastic baby bottles.

Dr. Rick Smith, Executive Director of Environmental Defence and co-author of the best-selling book "Slow Death By Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health", made the following statement:

"This is the first time these trends have been available and the results of the study are very significant. The levels of lead and bisphenol A in Canadians' bodies are a study in contrasts.

When governments ban or regulate a chemical, as they have with lead, you see significant public health benefits. The fact that kids today have a fraction the lead levels that their grandparents do is a clear sign that government regulations are working.

Bisphenol A represents a new problem we've created for ourselves. Kids are showing higher levels of it than their parents and grandparents. This is serious issue considering the well-established links between BPA and human diseases such as cancer. Canada is on the right track in banning BPA in baby bottles and in doing this extensive study of levels in Canadians' bodies, and making these numbers public. We congratulate the Canadian government for the progress to date. Now we need to get BPA out of other everyday sources, such as can linings and cash register receipts."

About Environmental Defence (www.environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence protects the environment and human health. We research solutions. We educate. We go to court when we have to. All in order to ensure clean air, clean water and thriving ecosystems nationwide, and to bring a halt to Canada's contribution to climate change.

For further information:

or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence [phone] ext. 232; [phone] (cell)