For our 2020-2021 campaign, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) is reaching out to supporters to contact their local representatives in support of legislation that would ban PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) from food packaging across the Commonwealth. Continuing with the momentum from our 2019 campaign which was focused on protecting Massachusetts drinking water from PFAS, this year we are extending that effort to address the PFAS found in items like sandwich wrappers and bakery bags. As part of MBCC’s new campaign, we are inviting all high school students across the Commonwealth to join this letter-writing campaign and make their voices heard with state legislators.
Many of the chemicals used in food packaging can leach into food and enter people’s bodies. A 2019 study by Silent Spring Institute revealed that people who ate more meals at home had significantly lower levels of PFAS in their bodies vs. those who consumed more fast food or ate out more often. Chemicals in food packaging also raise health concerns when they are disposed of in landfills as they can enter the soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water supplies.
Currently, Bill S. 1315 and Bill H. 3839 are two pieces of legislation geared towards removing these harmful chemicals from food packaging in Massachusetts. We are inviting MBCC supporters, along with educators, parents/caregivers, and high school students to voice their support for the passage of these two bills so we can help eradicate the health repercussions linked to exposure to these toxins.
S.1315 – An Act relative to chemicals in food packaging
H.3839 – An Act to ban the use of PFAS in food packaging
The Time to Act is Now!
In the past two years, Washington, Maine, and, most recently, New York have been successful in adopting policies banning the use of PFAS in food packaging. Likely to follow will be California which has prioritized similar policies under their Green Chemistry & Safer Consumer Products legislation. It is crucial Massachusetts joins this list as well.
In addition to Massachusetts, the following states also have policies currently up for consideration related to banning PFAS from food packaging in favor of safer alternative options: Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
For information on how to identify & contact your local MA legislators, please visit: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
From there, you will be able to find the email address and telephone number to either send a written letter or speak directly with the legislators that serve your area to voice your support for these two bills.
Be sure to mention that you are contacting their office as part of MBCC’s 2020-2021 campaign!
Join MBCC in our efforts to protect future generations!