From:
Carol Greenwood
Date:
May 13 01:46 UTC
Short link
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2008
For more information contact Lindsay Dahl at 612.870.3458 or
507.301.9679 (cell)
*
Toxic Toys Still on the Shelf:*
Governor Vetoes bill that would eliminate toxic chemicals from consumer
products.
St. Paul, MN- Governor Pawlenty vetoed a bill that would have protected
Minnesota’s children from toxic chemicals. The bill chief authors
Senator John Marty (DFL- Roseville) and Representative Karen Clark
(DFL-Minneapolis) passed the Public Health Omnibus bill (SF651) off both
house floors with wide margins last week [93-39 in the House and 45-20
in the Senate].
The bill would have phased out phthalates, a known hormone disrupting
chemical from children’s products, such as rubber duckies, vinyl bibs,
and teething rings. “The governor has disappointed Minnesota parents,
and let down Minnesota’s children” states chief author Rep. Karen Clark.
“Children have the right to develop to their full potential, exposure to
these chemicals is a serious health threat and needs to be addressed.”
Overwhelming peer reviewed science shows that phthalates are known
hormone disrupting chemicals and have been linked to adverse health
effects such as the early onset of puberty in girls and disruption to
the male reproductive tract. Due to the peer reviewed science on
phthalate exposure, other countries, including Mexico, Argentina, and
the EU have already banned phthalates from their children’s products.
Another provision in the bill would have eliminated a toxic flame
retardant, known as deca, from home electronics, mattresses and
textiles. Deca is a developmental neurotoxin that is chemically similar
to PCBs which were banned in the 1970s. In peer reviewed science low
dose exposure to deca has been linked to damage to the brain, liver and
thyroid in addition to hormone disruption.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found safer alternatives to deca
that meet fire safety standards and are currently on the market. Ninety
percent of computer manufacturers are phasing out the use of deca from
their products; the European Union has a ban on deca that will take go
into effect this summer.
“As professional fire fighters we support effective fire safety
standards and are convinced that phasing out the use of deca will not
compromise fire safety in any way,” stated Tom Thornber, president of
the Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters and a strong advocate for the
bill.
The largest toy retailer in the U.S., Toys R Us, has vowed to be
phthalate free by the end of the year, along with other large companies
like Mattel and Wal-Mart.
“This legislation would have ensured that parents didn’t have to do a
research project to find safe products for their families,” states
Kathleen Schuler, co-director of Healthy Legacy. “It is disappointing
that the Governor failed to protect Minnesota’s children.”
Office of the Governor
130 State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155
Other ways to reach our office:
Telephone: (651) 296-3391
Toll Free: (800) 657-3717
Facsimile: (651) 296-2089
E-mail: <email obscured> <mailto:<email obscured>>