Maine Takes On Toxic Chemicals-

It's nice to share a bit of good news here on this blog, because much of the time the news of chemicals in products we all use everyday is overwhelming and deeply troubling.

But at least now, more and people are paying attention and taking action.

I've had the good fortune of meeting some folks from the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, and apparently, along with the state legislature, they've made some great progress. We recently started a similar alliance in Vermont, and I am hoping to begin working more closely with them and VPRIG this fall on the topic of reproductive toxins.

So I read that Maine passed legislation to (from Rueters): "broadly identify and investigate “chemicals of high concern” in consumer products, particularly those that may reach children." It also requires that "makers of toxic chemicals to notify state authorities of the quantity and purpose of the chemicals and work to develop safer alternatives."

The common criticism, it seems, is that we need a federal system for this (did someone say the Kid Safe Chemicals Act? Yes!). But as often is the case, the states need to set the example and break new ground before this happens. And the Maine legislature is sending a clear message to chemical manufacturers and to those who use these chemicals in their products-- we want to protect the environment, and our citizens, especially children.

The Reuters article goes on to indicate that other states are considering similar legislation, and that states such as Washington and California have made bold steps by banning toxic flame retardants and phthalates. It also points out that the last chemical the EPA banned was asbestos in 1989. Yep, 1989 folks, when Milli Villi came out with the song "Girl You Know It's True". Don't pretend you don't remember, and that was quite a long, long time ago.

The Kid Safe Chemicals Act (finally!)--

It doesn't sound sexy, groundbreaking, or revolutionary, but it truly is.

New legislation, called the Kid Safe Chemicals Act, seeks to reform one of the oldest, archaic and backwards environmental bills, the Toxic Substances Control Act. The bill was introduced by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ), Representatives Hilda L. Solis (D- CA) and Henry Waxman (D-CA), and would take action to protect children from toxins in everyday products.

Since 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act allowed some 82,000 chemicals, many with little or no testing, to be introduced into the marketplace. And let's look at what has happened since then. According to the Environmental Working Group, babies are born with over 300 industrial chemicals in their blood. All the while rates of cancer, autism, ADHD, learning deficiencies and birth defects are soaring. And of course children's bodies are more susceptible to chemical exposures at low levels, due to their size and rate of development.

Right now, the EPA or any manufacturer does not have to prove that is a chemical is safe before it is used. Let me say that again: a chemical does not have to be proven safe, at all, before being introduced to the market in any product. As many times as I have read this to be true, it never fails to astound me.

With mounting evidence of chemicals in everyday products causing myriad negative health effects (BPA, phthalates, parabens), politicians are finally taking action to change the backwards policy of protecting the manufacturers who continue to pollute our children and the environment.

Enter the Kid Safe Chemicals Act. Here is what this righteous bill would do for our kids, (from the Environmental Working Group). My attempts to summarize this were futile. Each point is worthy of noting, with careful attention, and excitement:

"*requires that industrial chemicals be safe for infants, kids and other vulnerable groups;

*requires that new chemicals be safety tested before they are sold;

*requires chemical manufacturers to test and prove that the 62,000 chemicals already on the market that have never been tested are safe in order for them to remain in commerce;

*requires EPA to review "priority" chemicals, those which are found in people, on an expedited schedule;

*requires regular biomonitoring to determine what chemicals are in people and in what amounts;

*requires regular updates of health and safety data and provides EPA with clear authority to request additional information and tests;

*provides incentives for manufacturers to further reduce health hazards;

*requires EPA to promote safer alternatives and alternatives to animal testing;
protects state and local rights; and

*requires that this information be publicly available."

This would mean that the U.S. would finally move towards a more precautionary approach to regulating chemicals like the European Union and other countries, which has been called for by numerous environmental health advocates, authors and leaders for years.

I'll be keeping a close watch on this one, and will share with you when and how we can take action to support it.

More information:

The Daily Green
Healthy Child, Healthy World