The Kid-safe Products Law – which passed through Maine’s Legislature with near unanimous support in 2008 – has established a common-sense, science-based way to identify the most toxic chemicals that threaten the health of Maine children. This policy is a common sense first step to reduce our children’s exposure to toxic chemicals. The Body of Evidence study found an average of 37 toxic chemicals in the bodies of average Mainers, and hazardous chemicals that leach out of everyday products have also been found in Maine homes, air, water, and wildlife.
Our law focuses on toxic chemicals already identified as being of high concern by independent scientists, requires the State to prioritize “the worst of the worst” chemicals that children are likely to be exposed to, and requires manufacturers to disclose the use of priority chemicals in consumer products. Out of DEP’s 1,400 chemicals of concern, the priority chemicals are: Bisphenol-A (BPA), Nonylphenol/Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NP/NPE), cadmium, mercury, and arsenic. The law provides total discretion to the governor, the Director of the Center for Disease Control, and the DEP Commissioner to decide if and when any additional priority chemicals or product restrictions will be adopted.
