Health Department Is First in State to Provide ONLY BPA-Free Baby Bottles to WIC Program Infants & Children

In the wake of the recent warnings about BPA’s (bisphenol A) contained in various plastics used in the manufacturing of baby and children’s products, the Howard County Health Department has decided to supply only those products that are BPA-free to participants in the WIC (Women, Infants & Children) program. Howard’s WIC program which serves approximately 2900 clients (adults and children) per month is now the first Health Department in Maryland to enact a BPA-free program. “While this chemical has not conclusively been proven to cause higher rates of early puberty, breast and prostate changes, cancer and hyperactivity as well as other potentially serious conditions, we believe we should act responsibly and err on the side of caution where the health of our county’s children is concerned.” says Dr. Peter Beilenson, Howard County Health Officer.

BPA or bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate, a clear and rigid plastic. BPA can be found in baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, food and drink packaging, water bottles, toys and other impact-resistant plastic products. Polycarbonate plastic can degrade over time when it's heated or washed with hot water, causing significant leaching of BPA.

The Health Department suggests using food packaging and serving containers labeled with a #1, #2, #4, or #5 in the recycling triangle. Avoid polycarbonate plastic in food containers. Check the bottom/underside of the product. Do not buy or use plastics marked with a number “7” or a “3” in the recycle triangle. This will avoid BPA’s leaching into liquids consumed by infants, toddlers, children and adults, and causing possible future health issues.

“We hope that by bringing this information to the public, we can exert market pressure on retailers to carry only those BPA-free products”, continues Dr. Beilenson.

Health Department Receives Half-Million Dollar Grant for Healthy Howard Plan

The Howard County Health Department announced on March 28, 2008 it was the recipient of a $500,000 donation from The Horizon Foundation, to help fund the Healthy Howard Plan; the health care access program for the County’s uninsured.

“Our organization likes innovation,” said Foundation President & CEO Richard M. Krieg, “and Healthy Howard exemplifies how government can innovate to address core community issues. The grant is predicated on awareness that the Foundation and the Health Department share some fundamental goals; among them improving healthcare access for underserved county residents.”

County Health Officer Dr. Peter Beilenson says “We are extremely grateful for Horizon’s very generous contribution to the Healthy Howard Access Plan. Because of it, Howard County will become one of only two jurisdictions in the country on the road to achieving the goal of universal health access. County Executive Ken Ulman adds "The Horizon Foundation has always risen to the challenge when the County needed it. I'm ecstatic, but not surprised, that they have done so again."

The Healthy Howard Plan will offer primary care services, discounted prescription drugs, hospital care, and dental access, as well as specialty care services for 2,000 county residents beginning in the Fall of 2008.