Issue Position: Protecting Our Children from Toxic Exposures

Issue Position

Toxic chemicals linked to cancer, infertility, birth defects, and learning problems can be found in items we use every day, including products designed for children. I was a proud cosponsor of the Toxic-Free Kids Act this past session, which requires manufacturers of consumer products that are deemed harmful to assess safer alternatives and use them when they are identified.

When the chemical companies testified against the Toxic Free Kids Act that chlorinated TRIS and formaldehyde were at safe levels in baby shampoos and children's products, and told colleagues that chlorinated TRIS was not a carcinogen, I led the questioning exposing the falsehoods.

Understanding toxic exposure issues allowed me to share data with fellow legislators and convince many of my colleagues that the industry was trying to pull the wool over our eyes when it said that formaldehyde in baby shampoo was "safe." With my help, the bill was passed out of the House with strong support. I am committed to getting the bill passed through the Senate next session, and I am confident that it is only the first step in a successful movement to remove toxic chemicals from household products.

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