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SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Proposal aimed at ban on plastics
Containers with bisphenol A may be hazardous to young
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Michael Lamendola at 395-3114 or lamend@dailygazette.com.

    Schenectady County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara wants to ban the sale of certain beverage containers made of a plastic linked to possible harmful side effects in children.
    Santabarbara, R-Rotterdam, said the legislation, called “The Protection of Toddlers and Babies Act,” would stop the sale of containers that contain bisphenol A. Bisphenol A is a chemical contained in polycarbonate plastics, including baby bottles and cups designed for use by young children. It also is an epoxy resin used to line the interior of commonly used food and beverage cans.
    The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in 2008 concluded that bisphenol A does have an effect, although undetermined, on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current exposures levels.
    The agencies said the data is insufficient from studies in humans to reach a conclusion on reproductive or developmental hazards presented by current exposures to bisphenol A, but there is limited evidence of developmental changes occurring in some animal studies at doses that are experienced by humans, according to NIEHS’ Web site: http://www.niehs.nih.gov.
    “It is uncertain if similar changes would occur in humans, but the possibility of adverse health effects cannot be dismissed,” according to the Web site.
    Santabarbara said, “BPA is a dangerous chemical that can adversely affect children and their development. Babies and toddlers are especially at risk because beverage containers made with this chemical release it when a container is warmed or heated. We need to take action to protect our children and prevent this harmful chemical from harming them.”
    Santabarbara said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York and the Suffolk County Legislature have both introduced legislation to ban bisphenol A from children’s products. Additionally, several states are also considering a ban on bisphenol A.
    County Legislature Minority Leader Robert Farley, R-Glenville, said, “Many parents are simply unaware of the danger that this chemical can present and in which products it is contained.”
    Democrats control the......................http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00802

there are many thing we need to ban to keep the people safe and  I am glad Ang sees the light and is a progressive like this here. I knwo bullets can be banned now and I am hoping he leads that to so we can all be safer in our houses and on the road from the red knecks and the guns that they have in their trucks.

REALLY!!!!

With all that is going on with the National, State, & local governments,,,,,,,, the Republicans send Santabarbara out with this pile of crap!  A REGULATION PROPOSAL!!!!!! What insight and vision.  Looks like the County Republican think tank is all dried up.  

They must want to top Savage's useless feel good texting while driving legislation with fruitless feel good legislation of their own.  Governments continue to spend, while the financial markets crumble around us, and local Republicans march out Santatbarbara with big government regulative feel good legislation.  

County Republicans need a federal bailout package for new ideas.

I must say that this did sound a litte 'suzie savage' to me too. And remember that Ang voted WITH suzie on the DWT law too.

another addition to the greenhouse effect......what a waste......the picture is way way way bigger than plastic bottles.......line 'em all up and identify
the perps.......

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SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Plastic safety move mulled
Hearing planned over banning suspect chemical
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter

    Democrats in the Schenectady County Legislature have sidelined a Republican member’s legislation to ban a potentially harmful chemical in plastic children’s products in favor of an informational hearing.
    Dr. Brian Gordon, DNiskayuna, chairman of the Legislature’s Health Committee, said Friday he will conduct the hearing at the end of April.
    “We will have experts give us testimony on the safety of the chemical so we will have enough data to make an informed decision regarding a ban on it,” Gordon said.
    The chemical is called bisphenol A, or BPA, and is used in baby bottles, children’s cups and other beverage containers, plates and utensils. It has been linked to developmental problems and some cancers.
    Suffolk County on Monday became the first county in New York to ban BPA. The state Legislature is considering legislation to ban the chemical, and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., is proposing similar legislation on the federal level. Schumer, a Democrat, was in Suffolk County Monday to lend his support to the local measure.
    Schenectady County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara of Rotterdam introduced legislation in March to ban the sale of beverage containers containing BPA in the county. He calls his legislation the Protection of Toddlers and Babies Act.
    He expected the county Legislature to discuss the proposal Monday at its April committee meeting and was disappointed to find that it was not on the agenda.
    Santabarbara said he learned Friday from The Daily Gazette that Democrats will hold the hearing later this month.
    “I am in the minority party and I did not know what was going on. I want to see it done, and I am disappointed they are leaving me out of the process,” he said.
    However, Santabarbara said he supports the public hearing if it will help get the ban enacted: “If it gets done, I don’t have a problem with that.”
    Santabarbara said the proposed ban is not a partisan issue.
    “It is something that will benefi t everyone in Schenectady County and possibly across the United States,” he said.
    Gordon, an orthopedic surgeon, said a public hearing is necessary because conflicting opinions exist on BPA’s effect on children.
    “The question is posed and it deserves to be addressed. There are numerous studies on both sides,” he said.
    The county is proposing to bring in speakers from chemical companies and consumer protection agencies and perhaps physicians to discuss BPA, Gordon said.
    The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences concluded in 2008 that BPA does have an effect, although undetermined, on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children at current exposure levels. Its conclusions are contrary to a federal Food and Drug Administration study that said BPA was not harmful. The FDA has since formed a task force to re-examine the research.
    Schenectady Legislature Chairwoman Susan Savage, D-Niskayuna, said she referred Santabarbara’s legislation to Gordon’s committee after he introduced it last month.
    “As the mother of young children, I’m very interested in this issue. Making sure that we’re protecting our residents at every stage of their life is very important to me,” Savage said.

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar01304

Although this appears to be something to look into, I guess. There seems to be a much larger problem looming called HIGH TAXES.  I guess Ang knew that if he put a 'feel good' proposal up, they would take a poke at it. But let's not even discuss cutting spending.

Quoted from bumblethru

There seems to be a much larger problem looming called HIGH TAXES.

Dealing with high taxes and cutting spending require them to make hard choices.  Apparently, they are incapable of that.  Issues like this, albeit important, should be dealt with readily and routinely, in the "backround context."   Until we get politicians dealing with the main issues head-on, we're destined to keep getting screwed.  Our current batch of politicians are completely out of touch with their constituients.

I am sure they will "steal the idea" as their own however!

Quoted from Michael

Dealing with high taxes and cutting spending require them to make hard choices.  Issues like this, albeit important, should be dealt with readily and routinely, in the "backround context."   Until we get politicians dealing with the main issues head-on, we're destined to keep getting screwed.  Our current batch of politicians are completely out of touch with their constituients.

To cut spending is sometimes political suicide. People seem to actually 'want' the government to take care of them. And although there are situations where it is actually needed, I don't see them cutting in other areas. Such as those patronage jobs. Such as negotiating union contracts leaner. Such as selling off government facilities such as Glendale to private businesses. Abolishing the plex as it stands now. Lessen welfare benefits since we are the most generous in the country! Just to name a few.

So all of the peoples that benefit from this spending will clearly 'not' vote for the person who proposes the cuts. But they definitely need to be done!!

Quoted from CICERO

REALLY!!!!

With all that is going on with the National, State, & local governments,,,,,,,, the Republicans send Santabarbara out with this pile of crap!  A REGULATION PROPOSAL!!!!!! What insight and vision.  Looks like the County Republican think tank is all dried up.  

They must want to top Savage's useless feel good texting while driving legislation with fruitless feel good legislation of their own.  Governments continue to spend, while the financial markets crumble around us, and local Republicans march out Santabarbara with big government regulative feel good legislation.  

County Republicans need a federal bailout package for new ideas.

This is something that should be addressed at the National level or not at all. Are manufacturers supposed to produce a Schenectady County bottle? Ang has been great on Metrograft but when you read nit wit nanny laws like this you wonder. The only concern for REPS at the County level should be insisting on a Metrograft audit and reducing record County taxes and patronage hiring.

I agree that this is not a county government issue.  There are federal and state government agencies that have responsibility for product safety.

I agree with you Benny that the Republicans appear to have no platform.  While they should be fighting for lower property taxes, less government spending, and job development, they instead are focused on supporting bans on text messaging while driving and materials used in the manufacture of plastic bottles.

While the liberals, socialists, and Marxists expedite the demise of our great nation and the conservatives cower in the shadows afraid that if they oppose the new regime that they will not be liked, the people are left wondering if there are any principled leaders left in our society.

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SCHENECTADY COUNTY
Hearing set on BPA plastics ban County act would prohibit products made with chemical
BY MICHAEL LAMENDOLA Gazette Reporter

    The Schenectady County Legislature’s Health Committee will hold a hearing Thursday on proposed legislation to ban the sale of products containing a potentially harmful chemical used to make children’s beverage containers.
    The hearing is set for 7 p.m. in the sixth floor Legislative Chamber in the Schenectady County Offi ce Building.
    Legislator Brian Gordon, DNiskayuna, committee chairman, said he scheduled the hearing to obtain testimony from experts and the public. “We want to ensure we are making an informed decision regarding this legislation,” he said.
    BPA is a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics and is found in a wide variety of everyday items, including water bottles, food and drink packaging, food can linings, dental sealants, CDs and DVDs, eyeglasses and automobiles.
    Schenectady County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara, R-Rotterdam, introduced the legislation in March. He calls his legislation the Protection of Toddlers and Babies Act.
    David O. Carpenter, a professor and director of the Institute for Health and Environment at University at Albany, called BPA a threat, especially to male fetuses and little boys. It also may have an affect on male reproduction and could increase the risk of breast cancer, he said.
    “It is an estrogenic component that acts like the female hormone estrogen and acts to feminize little boys,” Carpenter said.
    The chemical, which makes plastic softer, is not bonded tightly to plastic and leaches into food products, Carpenter said. “It is in so many consumer products that we all have BPA in our bodies,” he said.
    Steve Hentges of the American Chemistry Council discounted the chemical’s threat. “Regulatory agencies and government bodies across the world have reached a consensus about the safety of BPA. Many assessments support the same conclusions, that it is not a significant risk to human health,” Hentges said.
    A representative of the American Chemistry Council is expected to attend Thursday’s hearing, Hentges said.
    Also expected to attend is Kathy Curtis of Clean New York, a women’s environmental health organization. She will be arguing in favor of the county’s BPA ban.
    “We will work to ensure that people who live in this county have a voice on this issue,” Curtis said. “A vast majority of studies show harm.”
    The earliest Schenectady County could ban BPA is this summer. By that point, the state Legislature may have passed its own legislation to ban BPA. The Assembly approved a bill on Earth Day, April 22. The state Senate is considering similar legislation, but it remains in committee.
    Curtis, who is following the state action, said she is uncertain when the legislation will come to the Senate floor. “The Senate is looking to hear from all affected parties. It is anyone’s guess what it will accomplish this year,” she said.
    Curtis said Schenectady County is right to take action to ban BPA. “I think counties should take action and that the state action should be a floor, not the ceiling, and that counties should be able to take more restrictive actions, such as banning other halogenated chemicals,” she said.
    Suffolk County became the first county in the state to ban BPA in March.
    Hentges said states, let alone counties, should not be involved in banning BPA. “The federal level is the appropriate level,” he said.
    U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, DNew York, has introduced legislation to ban the sale of baby bottles, sippy cups and other utensils aimed at children 3 and younger that contain BPA. It would not affect items such as plastic soda and water bottles that come filled with a product. Also, six major baby bottle manufacturers earlier this year agreed not to use baby bottles that contain BPA.
    Curtis said she is concerned that a member of the minority introduced the legislation to ban BPA. “We have seen how that plays out at the state level. We are hopeful that politics does not interfere with an important health issue like this,” she said.
    Republicans on the Schenectady County Legislature have had difficulty in getting their legislation passed in recent years, as Democrats control the Legislature 11-4. ............>>>>........http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....amp;EntityId=Ar00901

The only reason the Majority is letting this pass through is because "Ang" signed onto the DWT bill. Now, the Majority can claim "working together works" and "see, we're bipartisan on important legislation", despite the fact that this is a puff piece of BS legislation that has no business at the county level.

Instead of focusing on budget cuts and County layoffs (like Albany and every other surrounding county) we get this?

This is a Federal not County issue. Ang is right but we need his business expertise concentrated on this bloated County budget. The REPS better start proposing cuts and tax savings or they are headed for another defeat.