Focus on Michigan

Michigan is starting the new year with an aggressive agenda for protecting residents—adults and children alike—from toxic chemicals in the state. The toxics policy approach going into the 2010 legislative session will focus on 1) protecting children from toxic toys and 2) protecting all residents from toxic flame retardants.

The Children’s Safe Products Act

This law would require manufacturers to disclose the ingredients used in toys. As an editorial in The Oakland Press states,

“It sounds like a simple request. And while we’re not excited about more legislative regulations, these seem to be needed."

"We understand bottom lines are critical these days, but there shouldn’t be much extra cost involved, and we’re talking about the safety of our children.”

This law has been passed by the Michigan house, but is now sitting in the Senate Health Policy Committee.

An editorial by William Weil, MD, and Mike Shriberg, policy director for the Ecology Center and the Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health, in the Detroit Free Press discusses the long-term benefits of the Children’s Safe Products Act:

“These bills are preventive medicine. By helping parents protect the most vulnerable population—our children—from toxic chemicals, we would reduce unnecessary exposures that can lead to consequences such as increased costs of health care and special education, and long-term losses in work productivity.”

Are you a resident of Michigan? You can urge the passage of the Children’s Safe Products Act by writing a note to your state Senator and Health Policy Committee Chairman Senator George by using this tool.

Phasing out Flame Retardants

House Bill 4699 has been introduced in Michigan to phase out decaBDE (deca) in residential furniture, mattresses, TVs and computers. Deca is a flame retardant that it used in insulation, electronics and home furnishings and there is concern about its health effects in wildlife and humans.

Last month, the EPA announced a negotiated agreement with three large manufacturers who have agreed to phase out deca in the United States. However, many SAFER states are moving to require tighter restrictions on deca on the state level.

“It’s gratifying to see the EPA take strong action on this unnecessary, dangerous chemical,” stated State Representative Deb Kennedy, sponsor of HB 4699. “While this voluntary agreement is a major step forward, we still need to assure that no deca-laden products could be imported, leading to releases into our homes and ultimately the Great Lakes.”

If you live in Michigan, you can urge your representative to support HB 4699 by using this tool.

Further Reading:

Editorial: Children’s toys still contain toxic chemicals. Muskegon Opinion, 12/1/2009.

Editorial: Senate should act on toxic toy bills. The Oakland Press, 12/4/2009.