GARDEN CITY (AP) -- New York's senior senator is seeking a nationwide ban on a controversial chemical used to manufacture baby bottles and other products for toddlers. Sen. Charles Schumer says he supports an initiative by lawmakers in Suffolk County. It calls for fines for retailers who sell products containing the chemical known as BPA.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is expected to sign a local law later this week. Schumer says it should be extended nationwide.Among other things, Schumer's bill would require random testing of children's food and beverage containers on store shelves.
Major U.S. retailers already have removed products containing BPA from their shelves because of the growing controversy. A packaging industry spokesman says the ban will have an adverse impact on consumers' ability to obtain baby products.
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