GOV REJECTS SAFETY MEASURE PROTECTING KIDS AND MOMS FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS

Posted: July 08, 2013 | Front Page, Senator Goodall

Vetoes Kids Safe Product Act

AUGUSTA – Today, Governor Paul LePage vetoed a measure that ensures further protections for kids and Maine families from harmful chemicals commonly found in household products such as toys and food.

“Every parent has the right to know what harmful chemicals are in common household products,”said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall of Richmond, the sponsor of the bill. “We all want our children to be strong and healthy, and it’s unfortunate the governor disagrees when it comes to harmful chemicals and our kids.”

In 2008, the Maine Legislature passed the Kids Safe Product Act, which bans toxic chemicals from many products used by infants and children. Last year, Maine named 49 Chemicals of High Concern, a list that identifies chemicals proven through strong, scientific evidence to cause cancer, reproductive problems, and hormone disruption. There has been no procedure to reduce exposure to these chemicals. Senator Goodall’s bill requires companies to identify which of their products contain these 49 chemicals.

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. Research shows that children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic chemicals because of their rapid development. 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.

 

In the Governor’s veto letter, he asserts that there is an unfunded mandate even though the non-partisan fiscal office determined there was none. LD 1181 requires the Department of Environmental Protection to use its existing authority to assess fees on manufacturers that sell products in Maine that contain dangerous chemicals, which would offset any minor costs imposed by the bill.

 

Goodall added, “The governor’s veto message misrepresents what the bill does, invents impacts that don’t exist, and makes inaccurate assertions. There is no unfunded mandate. We should not delay in keeping our kids and families safe from dangerous chemicals.”

LD 1181 “An Act to Further Strengthen the Protection of Pregnant Women and Children from Toxic Chemicals,” was initially passed unanimously under the hammer in the Senate, and by a vote of 108-37 in the House. The Senate will take up the veto tomorrow, Tuesday July 9.

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