The Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act passed the WA State House of Representatives, getting us one step closer to improving furniture standards for the well being of all God’s children! The Washington Toxics Coalition released the following statement.
February 15, 2016
Seattle, WA – The following is the statement of Washington Toxics Coalition’s Executive Director Laurie Valeriano on the passage of the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act (HB 2545) in the Washington State House of Representatives today on a bipartisan vote of 76-21:
“We want to thank the House for passing the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act again this year. We especially want to thank the bill’s sponsor Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D- Sequim) and Rep. David Taylor (R-Moxie).
The bill that passed today is a step towards to protecting kids and firefighters from dangerous toxic flame retardants. It also relies on public health experts, not the chemical industry, to make decisions about the safety of certain flame retardant chemicals used in children’s products and furniture.
Toxic flame retardants that are cancer-causing and brain damaging chemicals that contaminate people, homes, wildlife, and waterways should not be used in children’s products or furniture . For decades, the chemical industry has mislead manufacturers, retailers, and consumers, into buying and using these dangerous chemicals even though the chemicals are unnecessary for fire safety.
We look forward to working with the Senate to pass the bill and finally giving kids and firefighters the protections they deserve.”
HB 2545 bans five toxic flame retardants in children’s products and home furniture and gives the Department of Health limited authority to ban six additional flame retardants if the chemicals are determined to be a concern for children’s health. The Department of Ecology recommended banning these flame retardants in children’s products and furniture in a 2014 report to the legislature.
The Washington Toxics Coalition is a state organization working to protect health and the environment by eliminating exposures to toxic chemicals. For more information contact: Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, 206-854-7623, ivy.grace@gmail.com.
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