As someone who has been involved for many years in the effort to get toxic chemicals out of everyday products in Maine, I am very hopeful about LD 1181, “An Act to Further Protect Pregnant Women and Children from Toxic Chemicals.” For instance, the bill would require the largest food manufacturers making over $1 billion in gross annual sales to report their use of BPA by next year.

A famous line from the movie “Field of Dreams” was, “Build it and they will come.” That is how I feel about chemical safety. Give me safe products and I’ll buy them.

I have stopped buying canned goods because (Grocery Manufacturers Association take note) most are lined with BPA, a mass-produced chemical associated with endocrine disrupting properties linked to cancers, obesity and reproductive health problems.

As more and more people are made aware of chemicals affecting developing fetuses and children, we can be sure that concerned parents and many others will avoid whole product categories just to be on the safe side. Isn’t that “bad for business?”

I ask my senator, Jim Hamper, to support the majority report of LD 1181, and then I am hopeful that the state Legislature will pass this important bill.

Everyone has the right to know which foods and food packaging contain BPA.

Sally Chappell, Bridgton