Dear members and allies,
As you know from our work, BPA is one of the most ubiquitous and problematic molecules used in plastics and elsewhere. It mimicks estrogen and is an important hormone (or endocrine) disruptor.
BPA continues to be extensively studied for its health effects which include female and male infertility, early onset puberty, hormone dependent cancers such as breast and prostate cancer, metabolic disorders, altered thyroid function, obesity, diabetes and autism spectrum disorders, among other problems.
Chemical and plastics manufacturers have lobbied western regulatory agencies heavily to encourage them to determine that BPA does not pose a health risk, and Health Canada has adopted this line.
BPA is found is a wide range of products, but many people do not know that one of the primary sources of exposure is through thermal paper used for receipts which is coated in BPA or BPA substitutes.
Given the lax regulatory response, Breast Cancer Action Quebec is joining Environmental Defence, Mind the Store and the largest union representing retail workers, United Food and Commercial Workers Canada (UFCW Canada) in going directly to retailers and urging them to stop using bisphenal thermal paper in the cash receipts.
We encourage you to sign the letter that will be sent to Canada's major retailers showing them that Canadians do not want to be exposed to toxic substances. You can read the press release below.
Thank you as always with your commitment to these issues!
Health, labour and environmental groups call on Canada’s leading grocery giants to ditch toxic receipts
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BCAQc relies on membership dues and private donations to stay in operation. A stronger membership is a stronger voice. It also helps to substantiate our financial applications for government grants and private foundations. Please consider joining us today!
With your support BCAQc is working hard to get vital information about environmental and chemical links to breast cancer to the public, and we now know that our message is being heard.
There are many ways you can be involved: volunteer, write a letter to the editor, book an educational workshop for your school, community group or work place. Engage with us, follow us on social media, share your opinions and ideas – take BCAQc’s message to your community! Be a voice for a change!