Annapolis Capital Punishment

Yes, BS, as in Bisphenol Signage.

Not content that our elected representatives failed to enact her pet bill to force retailers to post signs about Bisphenol A, Moyer has gone out on her own and made signs that retailers can post voluntarily. But who paid for these signs? Not only that, but she is using our city's resources (news release, web-site, signs) to try to influence private businesses and consumer behavior and she has refused to use those same resources to post information about the city manager petition because she claims it is "private"!

From her news release put out at our expense:

Annapolis, MD (5-14-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer announced that one hundred warning notices are being sent to area stores that sell products containing BPA.

BPA is a chemical, bisphenol-A, and is commonly used to harden plastics. According to some studies, BPA can pose a cancer risk. The chemical has also been tied to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes, but the F.D.A. continues to review and study BPA.

“In March, I proposed legislation to educate residents about the possible health concerns linked to BPA products in our area stores by placing information in a significant location in the store,” said Mayor Moyer. “The legislation was amended to be voluntary on the part of stores. Still, I feel that this issue is so new that any chance to make people aware of the possible health risks is necessary. Knowing that Chicago has taken such a drastic step, shows the level of concern nationwide. Meanwhile, the top six manufactures of baby bottles in the United States have stopped selling bottles with the chemical. We just need to keep educating people on the possible health risks.”

The Chicago, Illinois City Council unanimously adopted a measure on May 13, making Chicago the nation’s first city to ban the sale of baby bottles and other products produced with BPA.

The information card contains a warning that BPA can be hazardous particularly to pregnant women, fetuses, infants and young children. The card gives a website http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/ where individuals can get more information.

What BS. Go to the web-site and read it for yourself. The report clearly states the following, and these are the four main summarized conclusions produced by The National Toxicology Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in "NTP-CERHR Monograph on the Potential Human Reproductive and Developmental Effects of Bisphenol A September, 2008":

"...laboratory animal findings provide limited evidence that bisphenol A has adverse effects on development" (page 34)

"The NTP has some concern for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures
to bisphenol A."

"The NTP has minimal concern for effects on the mammary gland and an earlier age for puberty for females in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A."

'The NTP has negligible concern that exposure of pregnant women to bisphenol A will result in fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects, or reduced birth weight and growth in their offspring."

"The NTP has negligible concern that exposure to bisphenol A will cause reproductive effects in non-occupationally exposed adults and minimal concern for workers exposed to higher levels in occupational settings."


Keep in mind that the above is basically the only part of the 321 page report written in plain English. The rest is appropriate for PhD's in toxicology or pharmacology, probably beyond the understanding of anyone in her pet DNEP (Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Protection). And the mayor wants you to read this expecting that you will understand it. I took the time to find the report and I don't presume to understand any of it except "limited evidence, some concern, minimal concern, negligible concern and negligible concern."

But Ellen is greatly concerned. And Ellen holds all the power in our city. It does not matter that the council defeated her bill. She is now doing this on her own. What BS. What is next? How about signs in every grocery store that meat has fat in it or perhaps a sign as you enter her office reading, "Warning--The person occupying this office is known to have extremely high doses of BS" .



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