As a two-time breast cancer survivor and a grandmother to six children 3 years of age and younger, I'm deeply concerned that it's perfectly legal in the state of California to use the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA — a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to breast cancer — in baby bottles, sippy cups and infant formula containers.

Even more concerning is that, with all of the scientific evidence showing that even low-level exposure to this chemical can impact health, some members of the California Assembly still need convincing that it's time to ban this chemical from products our children and grandchildren use every single day.

As early as today, the Assembly will vote on SB797, introduced by Sen. Fran Pavley, D-Santa Monica, which would ban BPA from food and drink containers designed for children ages 3 and younger.

It's about time. There are more than 200 scientific studies showing that BPA exposure is linked to a wide range of diseases, including breast and prostate cancers, birth defects, infertility in men, early puberty in girls, diabetes and obesity.

BPA is absorbed into the body when it migrates from certain plastic and epoxy-resin lined containers into food and beverages. Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies are still developing.

Cancer survivors, parents and consumers have been sounding the alarm, and legislators across the nation have responded. Minnesota,

Connecticut, three New York counties and the city of Chicago have banned BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups, and 24 other states and municipalities, as well as Congress, are considering legislation to regulate the chemical.

The marketplace is also shifting. Leading baby formula companies are beginning to use BPA-free packaging, six baby bottle manufacturers have pledged to stop using the chemical, and retailers from Toys 'R' Us to Kmart have announced they are phasing out BPA-containing baby bottles.

While some companies are making commendable voluntary efforts, it is not enough. BPA-free products are not available everywhere — least of all in lower income communities. When a ban on BPA in baby products is the law of the land, it will level the playing field by making sure that all of California's children receive the safest products on the market.

Who could be against protecting all of our kids? The chemical and food-packaging industries, which have been lobbying intensely to stop this bill. They make billions of dollars every year selling this toxic chemical.

Half a million babies are born each year in California. Are we really comfortable continuing to sell these products in our stores and risk the health and well-being of all of our children?

Synthetic hormones have no place in baby food and beverage products. Urge your state Assembly member to do the right thing, and vote yes on SB797.

ELIZABETH JONES of San Jose has worked on advocacy and fundraising for the Breast Cancer Fund for more than 13 years. She wrote this article for the Mercury News.