Phillips advocates for Toxic-Free Kids Act

February 14, 2012

Summary

Introduces legislation supporting state action to protect kids from toxins

Story

In an effort to protect Washington kids from exposure to cancer-causing chemicals, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips introduced legislation supporting bills being considered in the Washington State legislature that ban toxic flame retardants in children’s products.

“Parents shouldn’t have to be scientists to find safe products for their kids,” said Phillips, Chair of the Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee. “We are urging the state legislature to ban cancer-causing toxins from children’s products so we can protect kid’s health and the environment.”

The original version of the Toxic-Free Kids Act (SB 6120) banned the use of two cancer-causing Tris flame retardants (TCDPP and TCEP) in children’s products beginning July 1, 2014. Tris flame retardants are a known carcinogen with evidence linking the chemical to neurotoxicity and hormone disruption. The bill also required makers of children’s products that contain bisphenol A (BPA), formaldehyde, antimony, or Tris flame retardants to identify safer chemicals or materials for their products so they don’t substitute one toxic chemical for another.

An amendment to SB 6120 passed narrowly by the Senate Ways and Means Committee removed much of the health protections from the bill passed by the full Senate on February 10, so Phillips’ legislation will be advocating for restoration of the original language.

“It is critical that the House improve the bill moving forward. Without a ban on chlorinated Tris, kids will remain exposed to cancer-causing chemicals,” said Laurie Valeriano, Executive Director for the Washington Toxics Coalition.

The Toxic-Free Kids Act is supported by The Washington Toxics Coalition and a broad coalition of doctors, nurses, faith communities, parents, health advocates, and environmentalists.