CT AG: "Chemical Industry Tried To Kill Legislation"

"HARTFORD -- The chemical industry used 'confusion and concealment' and possibly violated Connecticut law in its unsuccessful attempt to kill legislation banning the use of bisphenol-A in baby bottles and infant food jars, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal charged Monday.

Blumenthal, during a news conference with legislators and environmental and public-health activists, said he was concerned by an apparent strategy that was developed during a meeting of packagers and chemical lobbyists in Washington early this year.

Misleading consumers, he said, is a violation of state law.

Sen. Edward Meyer, D-Guilford, co-chairman of the Environment Committee, confirmed the extreme lobbying effort against the bill and stressed that tests on animals have established the links between cancer and BPA, which is used to harder plastics for baby bottles and gaskets on jars of food."

Ken Dixon reports for the Connecticut Post June 15, 2009.