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Support Kid-Safe Products
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The common products that fill our homes contain thousands of hazardous and untested chemicals that threaten our children's health. LD 2048 would establish a common-sense, science-based plan to replace the worst chemicals with safer alternatives.
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.
It's Time 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.
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:
Your State Representative
Your State Senator
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Support Kid-Safe Products
Dear Representative,
I'm writing to express support for LD 2048 - a common-sense, science-based approach to getting the worst toxic chemicals out of toys and children's products in Maine.
There is virtually no federal government oversight of chemicals used to manufacture toys or childrens products - even those made in the U.S.!
Manufacturers are not required to tell retailers or consumers what chemicals they use in their products, or test those chemicals for safety.
There is no pre-market testing of products that will expose our kids to hazardous or untested chemicals.
And companies are not required to replace known hazards with safer alternatives even when those are available and affordable.
This doesn't make sense! We deserve to know that any product we buy that our kids will come into contact with is safe.
Please support LD 2048, “An Act to Protect Children’s Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children’s Products."
LD 2048 takes a common-sense approach based on credible science to protect our children.
The bill would:
- Establish lists of chemicals already known to harm children based on independent science.
- Prioritize the worst of the worst chemicals based on children's exposure.
- Require disclosure of the use of these priority chemicals in children's products.
- Share information with other states.
- Phase out dangerous chemicals when safer alternatives are available.
- Use market forces to promote safer chemicals and encourage innovation.
I hope you will support LD 2048 to protect our children from dangerous chemicals. Your name and address here
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This Action Alert Campaign is Closed.
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