In 2008, Maine’s Governor John Baldacci signed into law an Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products. This law is aimed at protecting children’s health from unnecessary and dangerous chemicals in everyday consumer products. It is also an important step toward protecting Maine’s natural environment, as well as women of childbearing age, from the toxic effects of chemicals.

The law requires Maine to adopt a list of priority chemicals of high concern, forces manufacturers to disclose the toxic chemicals they add to products, and authorizes the state to require safer alternatives whenever they are available.  This point is so critical because it finally places the responsibility on the manufacturer, not the consumer.

The first list of chemicals has been released and is available on the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s website.  Reporter Meg Haskell with the Bangor Daily News recently wrote about the list.

 “At 83 pages, the list includes many compounds whose names would be unfamiliar to most people. But some, such as lead, mercury and formaldehyde, are widely recognized for their toxic effects on babies and young children.

Others, such as phthalates, bisphenol-A and deca, have become more familiar in recent years as public health and environmental groups have sounded the alarm about their presence in household goods.

Infant formula, plastic shower curtains, toys, cosmetics, furniture and home electronics are among the products that can contain and emit the toxic chemicals.”

This list reinforces the concern and need for national reform, don’t you think?

Efforts to ban specific toxic chemicals like Deca and BPA make a difference. The reality, however, is that there are  more than 82,000 different chemicals in production.  Dealing with harmful chemicals one by one could take a lifetime. Or more.  A more effective way to protect ourselves from exposure is through policy that takes a precautionary approach.  This framework requires thorough evaluation of chemicals so that unsafe chemicals don’t make it to the market in the first place and promotes the use of the least toxic alternatives.

Last April, Maine took a huge step in this direction last April with the passage of the Kid-Safe Products Law.  This landmark law will reduce children’s exposure to chemicals that based on “credible scientific evidence” may be harmful to our health.  PPNNE worked with Alliance for A Clean and Healthy Maine on the bill and applauds its passage.

Maine's State House

The Kid-Safe Products Law applies to children’s products, but don’t just think of sippy cups and toys. ‘Children’s products’ are defined broadly to include products to which kids are exposed. While exceptions are written in for some everyday products it is clear the bill was written with children’s safety in mind.  For example, while food  is generally exempt from the law, the law does apply to baby food and infant formula. Furthermore, the bill specifically  targets chemicals that are known or likely reproductive or developmental toxicants. It also singles out endocrine disrupters, which are frequently linked to reproductive health problems.

Roughly one year later implementation is underway in Maine, and the law has become a national role model of sorts.

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VP Bev Shadley Speaks about Good Chemistry at Greendrinks

Good times were had last night at Portland's Greendrinks!  PPNNE VP Bev Shadley spoke to a crowd of 350 people about environmental toxins and the adverse affects they have on the health of women, men, and children.

Don't forget about our Mercury Thermometer Exchange and Plastic Nalgene Bottle Drop on Saturday (April 18) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at our Planned Parenthood Health Center on 970 Forest Ave in Portland! For more info, email Hilary at hlawton@ppnne.org.

Learn about the links between environmental toxins and reproductive health at a series of events designed to bring "Good Chemistry" to Portland (ME). Join PPNNE and other environmentally minded Portlanders on Tuesday, April 14, from 5:30-8:00 p.m. for trivia games, free condoms and snacks, and more at our kick-off Greendrinks event at O'Naturals. E-mail hlawton@ppnne.org to learn more.