If you're looking to keep your family safer in 2013, your state legislature may be working to make it a little easier for you. Safer States, a national group of coalitions working to reduce toxic chemicals in our country, reports that twenty-six states (shown above in orange) are considering legislation that would affect the use of chemicals like BPA and toxic flame retardants. Is your state on the list?
According to Safer States, some of the proposed policies would ban chemicals such as BPA, toxic flame retardants, toxic heavy metals, and formaldehyde from children's products. Some states may even require manufacturers to disclose toxic chemicals in certain products. Acceptance of these kinds of laws for more than half the states in our country is more than a step in the right direction—it's a giant leap!
I am disappointed, though not surprised, to see that my own state, South Carolina, is not on the list of states considering such legislation this year. And though Safer States doesn't mention how voters might have a hand in pushing this kind of legislation along, I certainly plan to contact my own state legislators.
• Read more: Safer States
(Image: Safer States)
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It's about time!!! I am glad to know that my state, NJ is on the list.
I am excited to see Maine (the place I've lived for the last ten years) on the list. But what the heck, New Hampshire and Rhode Island (my home state)?
Isn't California the reason why there are flame retardants in everything?
Everything I've read indicates that it's a CA law that caused manufacturers to put flame retardants in furniture and baby gear. It's been ridiculously difficult to find an infant car seat that's not going to put me in the poor-house, that doesn't contain BPA, flame-retardants, and formaldehyde.
everything will kill us.
YES! We bought my son a bed 2 weeks ago that reeks so badly of chemicals, it's already listed on Craigslist. It's absurd that it's legal or even mandatory in some cases to make everything toxic.
btw, here's things that were thought to cause cancer but on later examination, won't
http://health.yahoo.net/articles/cancer/what-causes-cancer-7-strange-cancer-claims-explained
I hate the chemical smell of new furniture etc, but it's not necessarily toxic or cancer causing, particularly at household dose levels.
Ca, followed by NY, are the reason why we usually have safer laws but no idea specifically about flame retardants.
Always let new items air out or as my chemically-sensitive friends say "gas out" for awhile - she waits 6 months (items relax in the garage) - I do as long as I can stand to be without my delightful new purchase (about 2 weeks usually). I've even put a fan on things to speed up the process. I know I've moved too hastily if I put my face on the item and get a "new car smell".
It was CA's (as it turned out misguided) attempt to protect kids from fire that led to have flame retardants in pajamas, foam cushions, etc. Unfortunately, these chemicals are carcinogenic and are now in so much that we use. Great to see this is happening, though my supposed blue-turning state of VA is never very blue when it comes to state-level decisions.
CA over legislates everything.