UPDATE: SB 1313 was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger Sep. 29.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger       
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
 

RE: SB 1313 – Perfluorocarbons in Food Packaging – Support

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

I/We are writing to urge you to sign SB 1313 (Corbett) into law.

SB 1313 will ban perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) in food packaging beginning 2010.

PFOS and PFOA are perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) used in food packaging.  Studies show these chemicals can migrate into food directly from the packaging, especially when heated. PFOS and PFOA have been found in more than 98 percent of Americans’ blood, and an Environmental Working Group study detected the chemicals in the umbilical cord blood of 10 of 10 newborn babies. PFOA and PFOS never break down, persisting in the environment indefinitely.

PFOA is considered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Science Advisory Board a likely carcinogen and a chemical that induces breast tumors in animals. In addition, PFOA and PFOS have been linked to pregnancy problems that can include developmental complications. Californians have the right to assume their food packaging is safe and the fact that some food companies have eliminated PFCs in packaging is proof that it can be done now.

Sincereley,