LDA Announces Public Hearing on LD 2048 – "An Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products"Alert – Support Kid–Safe Products Toxic chemicals should not be found in Maine homes or children. Unfortunately, studies show that Maine children are routinely exposed to hazardous industrial chemicals that leach out of products they encounter every day: plastic containers, toys, jewelry, baby bottles and water bottles, shampoos, lotions and thousands more products. The legislative bill on which we have been working hard on LD 2048 – "An Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products" (sponsored by Representative Hannah Pingree) will have a public hearing on February 28th at 1 pm at the Natural Resources Committee. LD 2048 would stop the unrestricted exposure of our children to known unsafe chemicals. We can take advantage of the best scientific research compiled by authoritative government agencies to phase out the worst chemicals that endanger our children, and create new economic opportunities for innovative Maine companies. The opposition has already unleashed its efforts to quash the bill. We must get calls and e-mails to legislators right now, as soon as possible. Act Now to support LD 2048 for Kid–Safe Products
Send an email to the Chairs of the Natural Resources Committee – you can use the information below for your letter if you wish: Send an email to your own legislators (state representative and state senators) Find your legislator (by town) Sign up to attend Environmental Health Day at the Maine Capitol on Tuesday, March 4 SAMPLE letter text: I am writing to urge you to support the kid–safe products bill, LD 2048, "An Act to Protect Children and the Environment form Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products." As you may have seen from recent news articles, many consumer products, including toys and even baby bottles, contain dangerous toxic chemicals. The scientific evidence is growing that these chemicals are linked to health problems including, developmental and learning disabilities, hormone problems, damage to reproductive organs and cancer. I care about this particularly because of my experience parenting/working with children with learning disabilities. Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of toxic chemicals. Unfortunately, there is virtually no government oversight of chemicals used in manufacturing. The good new is that safer alternatives exist and can be substituted when they are available, effective and affordable. LD 2048 would set up a common–sense process to identify unnecessary toxic chemicals in children's products, gather information about safer alternatives, and phase out the "worst of the worst" chemicals in favor of safer ones. Thank you for your support of this important bill. There is nothing more important than protecting the health or our precious children. Sincerely, Please take a moment right now to support this important legislation – Maine's children need your help. Learning Disabilities Association of Maine is a partner in the The Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine is a diverse coalition of Maine–based organizations that have embarked upon a multi–year public health campaign to phase out the long–lived toxic chemicals that build up in the food web and our bodies. Our Principles: Steering Committee Members: Contact Us: 021708 |