SENATE SUPPORTS MEASURE PROTECTING KIDS AND PREGNANT MOMS FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS

AUGUSTA— Earlier today, the Senate passed unanimously under the hammer a measure that will further help protect kids and Maine families from harmful chemicals in household products such as toys and food.

“This is about the health and safety of our children. Parents and consumers should be able to know what harmful chemicals are in household products, ”said Senate Majority Leader Seth Goodall of Richmond, who is also the sponsor of the bill. “It’s a common goal to want to make our environment safer. We want to improve our lives, make our lives healthier, and we want to ensure that as our children grow up they have an opportunity to become stronger.

LD 1181 “An Act to Further Strengthen the Protection of Pregnant Women and Children from Toxic Chemicals”if law, will identify which products contain the 49 ”worst of the worst” chemicals and will set priorities to remove chemicals from household products that Maine children encounter every day.

Goodall added, “This measure will give us all more transparency, so when we walk into stores, we know what we’re buying and so we can quickly understand what’s in those products.”

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.

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 2008, the Maine Legislature passed the Kids Safe Product Act, which bans toxic chemicals from many products used by infants and children. The original Kid-Safe law and later improvements were passed by nearly unanimous margins.

Goodall added, “We must continue to move the ball down the field to ensure progress and safety for our young children.”

LD 1181 will face further votes in the Senate and House for consideration.

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