DEM LEADERS BACK MAINE MOMS ON COMMON SENSE TOXIC CHEMICAL DISCLOSURE

Posted: July 31, 2013 | Front Page, Senator Alfond

AUGUSTA – Top Democratic lawmakers gave strong support to an effort by Maine moms urging Governor Paul LePage to support disclosure of toxic chemicals in food packaging.  The group is calling on LePage to send letters to Maine’s 10 largest food companies, asking them to disclose which products have packaging made with BPA.

 

Earlier this month, Governor LePage vetoed a bipartisan bill that would have would have required companies with $1 billion or more in gross annual sales to report to the state if they use chemicals like BPA in food packaging.

 

“Maine people have a right to know if there are toxic chemicals like BPA in food packaging,” said House Speaker Mark Eves of North Berwick, a father of three young children.  “The veto of this bill is just another example of Governor LePage prioritizing special interests, like toxic chemical companies, over Maine people.”

 

Maine moms have been on the forefront of advocating for this issue for months, leading the charge in support of the bill vetoed by the governor.

 

Scientific evidence shows that chemicals commonly used in household products can lead to expensive chronic diseases, including reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.  A University of Maine study estimates that just four environmentally-related childhood diseases in Maine lead to at least $380 million in preventable costs every year.

 

“Parents should be able to count on the products they buy being free from toxins,” said Senate President Justin Alfond of Portland, the father of a two year old son. “I urge Governor LePage to think about our children and families. We should be standing together on this common sense approach of protecting our youngest Mainers.”

 

The LePage administration has increasingly come under scrutiny for putting the interests of chemical companies and polluters ahead of public health and the environment. Most recently the administration proposed weakening Maine’s anti-smog protections.

 

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