Kid-Safe Products Under Attack by Chemical Industry Misinformation Campaign

UPDATE - April 5, 2008

The national chemical industry is funding a cynical misinformation campaign to confuse Maine businesses about the impact of LD 2048, the Kid-Safe Products Bill (sponsored by Representative Hannah Pingree).

If you believe that toxic chemicals proven to harm children should not be allowed in everyday products without any disclosure to consumers, even if safer alternative chemicals are available and affordable, then you need to act now.

Your Maine Representative and Senator are hearing from chemical industry allies and businesses who don't want to have to tell us if they use toxic chemicals that may harm our children in their products or packaging.

CLICK HERE to email your Representative and Senator right now.

More information about LD 2048 appears below.

Toxic Chemicals and Kids Don’t Mix

Toxic chemicals should not be found in Maine homes, wildlife and people. Unfortunately, studies show that Maine children are routinely exposed to hazardous industrial chemicals that leach out of products they encounter every day: plastic containers, toys, jewelry, baby bottles and water bottles, shampoos, lotions and thousands more products.

Science Tells Us to Act

Scientific research shows that these chemicals are hazardous and that even tiny amounts may threaten human health. Babies in the womb and young children are especially vulnerable because they are still growing. Animal and human studies have linked these chemicals to learning disabilities, hormone system damage, changes in sexual development, reproductive harm, low birth weight and cancer.

Our Chemical Safety System is Broken

Product makers are not required to use safer alternatives, even when non-toxic substitutes are effective, available and affordable. Thousands of toxic chemicals have been exempted from federal regulations without adequate health and safety testing. If this system were working, we would not find hazardous chemicals in our children’s bodies.

We Can’t Shop Our Way Out of Danger

Smart consumers avoid the most hazardous products – like vinyl – but there are too many hazardous chemicals used in too many products to avoid all of them. A better way exists: phase out the “worst of the worst” chemicals that are proven to harm children whenever safer alternatives are available.

Safer Products Are Possible

In recent testing of over 1,200 popular children’s toys, 40% of the products tested did not contain any lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury or PVC, including many made in China. Maine has already phased out a handful of the worst chemicals. And other states and federal agencies have compiled research on many other chemicals that show which are clearly harmful and which are safer.

Maine is Poised to Act

LD 2048 - “An Act to Protect Children’s Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Children’s Products” – would stop the unrestricted exposure of our children to known unsafe chemicals. We can take advantage of the best scientific research compiled by authoritative government agencies to phase out the worst chemicals that endanger our children, and create new economic opportunities for innovative Maine companies.

What LD 2048 Would Do

LD 2048 takes a common-sense approach based on credible science to protect our children. The bill would:

- Use existing state resources and the same process used to replace mercury, arsenic and toxic flame retardant chemicals in consumer products with safer alternatives.

- Prioritize a few toxic chemicals widely used in consumer products and proven to endanger children.

- Require disclosure of the use of these chemicals in children's products.

- Share information with other states.

- Allow the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to propose the phase out of priority toxic chemicals if safer alternatives are found that are effective, available, and affordable. (Any chemical phase outs would be considered by Maine Legislature.)

You Can Help!

Only widespread support by Maine citizens can overcome the power of the chemical industry that wants to keep selling toxic products that poison our children. Your action is needed now.

- Send a message to your representatives.
In just one minute your message of support can be on its way.

Please take a moment to act now.

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If you'd like more information, contact:

Kristine Jenkins
Organizer - Environmental Health Strategy Center
207-409-9193
Click here to email