Multnomah County bans BPA
By Christina Williams
Sustainable Business Oregon
Multnomah County became the first in the country to ban drink containers containing bisphenol A.
Multnomah County on Thursday passed a ban on the sale of reusable beverage containers containing the chemical Bisphenol A, becoming the first county in the country to do so.
After a failed run at a statewide ban on the chemical, which is known as BPA and can disrupt the normal activity of hormones in the body, Multnomah County commissioners voted unanimously for the ban in the county.
The board heard testimony in favor of the ban from more than 25 people. No one testified in opposition.
The vote directs the county Health Department to write rules and regulations to carry out the policy order.
The commissioners were acting in their capacity as the Multnomah County Board of Health.
The ban has been championed by organizations including the Oregon Environmental Council and the VOIS Alliance, a group of sustainable businesses.
"Not only does this legislation represent a huge step forward for children and families in Multnomah County, it levels the playing field for manufacturers and retailers who are already doing the right thing by shunning BPA-laden products," a VOIS newsletter reported to members Friday.
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