Michigan: Fifty-four incoming state representatives commit to getting toxics out of toys

Posted by Safer States on Nov 12, 2008

Healthy Michigan Healthy Kids On Nov. 4 Michigan voters elected at least 54 State Representatives committed to protecting kids from toxic chemicals in toys. In a strong response to the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids (HMHK) coalition, nearly 50 percent of all 2009/10 Michigan House of Representatives members officially signed the HMHK platform, a comprehensive approach to addressing toxics in children’s products.

“Lead, mercury, arsenic and other toxic chemicals simply do not belong in toys and children’s products, and ultimately, in our children,” said state Representative-Elect Bill Rogers. “I’m proud that so many of my colleagues have pledged to protect children’s health and I look forward to working with them to implement the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids agenda.”

Even though the media paid more attention to toy recalls last year, over 6 million children’s products have already been recalled in 2008 because of lead and parents are increasingly concerned about safety during the upcoming holiday season.

The federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, enacted in August, will eventually alleviate some of the most obvious problems with toxic toys but does not go nearly far enough to protect Michigan’s children.

“I worry about what chemicals are in my children’s toys,” said Sara Talpos, mother of two young children. “Parents have a right to know what chemicals are in children’s products so we can make informed decisions when shopping for our kids.”

The HMHK coalition calls for Michigan to follow the lead of other states and countries by taking initial, commonsense steps to protect Michigan's children from toxic chemicals by eliminating added lead, mercury, and arsenic in kid’s products; identifying other chemicals of concern; ensuring consumer “right-to-know” about chemicals of highest concern; and jumpstarting Michigan’s economy with green chemistry and safer alternatives.

“Not only did we receive 54 official signatures, but many more incoming Representatives expressed their strong support for addressing this issue comprehensively and responsibly,” said Mike Shriberg, Ph.D., Policy Director for the Ecology Center.

To see a list of the 2009/10 Representatives that signed the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids platform, click here.