Minnesota legislators to address toxics in children’s products

Today marks a great day for children’s health, as two important bills are introduced into the Minnesota legislature. Healthy Legacy, a public health coalition representing over one million Minnesotans, is partnering with concerned parents across the state to support the passage of the following bills:

Bisphenol A Free Baby Products

(Rep. Karen Clark- Minneapolis and Sen. Sandy Rummel- White Bear Lake)

This bill, similar to one introduced in 2008, would phase out the use of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in children’s products intended for children ages three and under.

BPA is a known hormone disrupting chemical, and has been linked with various adverse health effects in independent, peer reviewed studies. The chemical is most often used in some baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula containers. Safe and cost-effective alternatives are already on the market.

“This bill is a great opportunity for Minnesota to take a lead on protecting children’s health,” said Sandy Rummel, chief author of the bill in the Senate. “As we assess ways to save money in Minnesota, prevention is an important piece of the solution.”

The Toxic Free Kids Act

(Rep. Kate Knuth- New Brighton and Sen. Linda Scheid- Brooklyn Park)

This bill would take a more systematic approach to addressing chemicals in children’s toys and would allow the state Pollution Control Agency (PCA) to find out more information about some chemicals of concern ending up in children’s products. The bill takes an important step away from the chemical-by-chemical approach, toward a more comprehensive system for addressing toxic in toys. The bill would only apply to new products.

“It is 2009, toxic chemicals are still in children’s toys, and we can do something about it,” said Rep. Kate Knuth, assistant Majority Leader. “This bill offers a common sense and systematic approach to addressing the problem and I am confident this will garner bi-partisan support.”

In a year where state legislators will have to make hard decisions about where to cut money, these bills can hopefully offer a beacon of light.