In November, we told you about the Earliest Exposures Report -- a report which described the test results of pregnant women who were tested in Washington, Oregon and California. Despite their best efforts, the mothers-to-be tested with high levels of levels of bisphenol A , mercury, phthalates, and perfluorinated -- or “Teflon” -- chemicals in their blood.

At the time, we stated that the Earliest Exposures study underlined the need for states to pass laws protecting children and pregnant women from toxic chemicals.

One of the women tested during the study was Dr. Molly Gray, a Washington state resident who is now the mother to 7-month old Pax.

Great news out of Washington state: Bisphenol-A (BPA) is close to being banned, which would make it the third state in the nation to pass a BPA ban in some form.

Here’s the current status: The Washington State House of Representatives last Monday passed a bill (SHB 1180) -- the Safe Baby Bottle Act -- which would ban BPA from baby bottles, sippy cups, children’s food containers, and sports water bottles. The bill passed with a 95-to-1 margin in the House.

Scientific studies have linked BPA to known health effects including impaired brain and reproductive development in unborn babies, miscarriage in pregnant women, diabetes, obesity and cancer.

The evidence is clear: Americans will be healthier if exposure to toxic chemicals is reduced, resulting in lower health care costs across the nation. 

This information is in an analysis released last week titled "The health case for reforming the toxic substances control act." Toxic chemical exposure is linked to cancer, learning and developmental disabilities, asthma and other diseases and conditions, and conservative estimates show that reducing the incidence of these diseases by 0.1% could save $5 billion in health care costs.

Upon hearing the news of the health report, many Safer State organizations chimed in with their concern for the health report's implication for their citizens, and the need for TSCA reform.

Imagine that you're the captain of the world's largest oil tanker. And you see danger ahead, and you need to turn that ship around as soon as possible, or at least steer the tanker to get it out of danger. No matter how quickly you would like to respond, it still will take a while for the ship to change course.

That is the situation that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found itself in this week. The public has been awaiting a decision by the FDA on Bisphenol-A (BPA). Scientific studies have linked BPA to known health effects including impaired brain and reproductive development in unborn babies, miscarriage in pregnant women, diabetes, obesity and cancer.

Late last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an intention to create a "Chemicals of Concern" list which would give priority to some chemicals which are of particular danger to Americans.

Immediately, phthalates and PBDE chemicals are being added to the concern list -- phthalates are used in flexible plastics like soft toys for children, household products and medical equipment. The EPA targeted these chemicals because they raise “serious health or environmental concerns.”

Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced the news stating,