Safe Children's Products Act Hailed by Health & Environmental Groups

Bills Would Provide Parents with First Right-To-Know about "Toxic Toys"

April 20, 2009

Lansing, MI: Backed by a 25-foot inflatable rubber ducky at press events around the state, some of the state's leading health, medical, health-affected and environmental organizations enthusiastically supported the recently introduced Safe Children's Products Act as a first step to protecting children from toxic chemicals in children's products. The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health will be holding an Earth Day (April 22) citizen action day at the Capitol to help move the bills (HB 4763-69) swiftly.

"Toxic chemicals simply do not belong in toys, nor in our children," said Cyndi Roper, Michigan Director of Clean Water Action. "The Safe Children's Products Act represents a comprehensive approach to assessing what toxic chemicals might be in children's products, and requiring manufacturers to tell parents."

The Safe Children's Products Act (HB 4763-69) requires manufacturers who use chemicals known to be hazardous to publicly disclose which of these chemicals they use in children's products in Michigan. Parents and other consumers would then be able to access this information on-line, much as they can now access information about mercury in fish or other such hazards.

"I worry about what chemicals are in my children's toys," said Sara Talpos, mother of 2 young children, University of Michigan Lecturer and author of a recent article about her experiences exploring the toxic hazards of children's products. "Kids are exposed to hazardous chemicals from many different sources. There is just no reason for our children to also be exposed unnecessarily through their products. Parents have a right to know what chemicals are in children's products so we can make informed decisions when shopping for our children."

During last year's election season, voters across Michigan asked House candidates to take action on "toxic toys" by signing the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids platform. Overwhelmingly, Michigan's legislators responded and supported the effort.

"We've been encouraged by the broad, bipartisan commitment to protect kids from needless exposures to toxic chemicals," said Abby Rubley, Policy Director of the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. (The full list of 54 Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids platform signatories follows this release.)

Swift action on the Safe Children's Products Act is expected in the Michigan House. "We look forward to moving ahead with strong bipartisan support," said Mike Shriberg, Ph.D., Policy Director for the Ecology Center and the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health. "We need to help protect Michigan's children and empower Michigan parents now."

*******************************

The Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health is a coalition of health professionals, health-affected groups, environmental organizations, and others dedicated to a safe and less toxic world for Michigan's children. Through education, outreach, and advocacy, we work to change current policies and practices that result in exposure of children to environmental toxicants. Network Members: American Academy of Pediatrics (Michigan Chapter), Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS), Association for Children's Mental Health, Autism Society of Michigan, Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination, Clean Water Fund, Clinton County Family Resource Center, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice, East Michigan Environmental Action Council, Ecology Center, Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Michigan, Local Motion, Michigan Coalition for Children and Families, Michigan Environmental Council, Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, Michigan Nurses Association, Science and Environmental Health Network, Voices for Earth Justice.

For more information, visit: www.mnceh.org

The following Representatives signed the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids platform, upon which the Safe Children's Products Act is based. More information about the initiative can be found at www.HealthyMichigan.net.

HD 1 - Mr. Timothy Bledsoe

HD 4 - Coleman A. Young

HD 5 - Bert Johnson

HD 8 - George Cushingberry

HD 10 - Gabe Leland

HD 12 - Rashida Tlaib

HD 15- Gino H. Polidori

HD 16 - Bob Constan

HD 20 - Marc R. Corriveau

HD 21 - Dian Slavens

HD 23 - Deb Kennedy

HD 24 - Sarah Roberts

HD 26 - Marie Donigan

HD 27 - Ellen Cogen Lipton

HD 29 - Tim Melton

HD 31 - Fred Miller

HD 32 - Jennifer Haase

HD 34 - Woodrow Stanley

HD 37 - Vicki Barnett

HD 39 - Lisa Brown

HD 49 - Lee Gonzales

HD 52 - Pam Byrnes

HD 53 - Rebekah Warren

HD 54 - Alma Wheeler Smith

HD 55 - Kathy Angerer

HD 59 - Matt Lori

HD 60 - Robert B. Jones

HD 62 - Kate Segal

HD 65 - Mike Simpson

HD 66 - Bill Rogers

HD 67 - Barb Byrum

HD 68 - Joan Bauer

HD 69 - Mark S. Meadows

HD 70 - Mike Huckleberry

HD 71 - Rick Jones

HD 74 - Dave Agema

HD 75 - Robert Dean

HD 76 - Roy Schmidt

HD 79 - John Proos

HD 84 - Terry L. Brown

HD 85 - Richard J. Ball

HD 87 - Brian N. Calley

HD 88 - Bob Genetski

HD 90 - Joseph Haveman

HD 91 - Mary Valentine

HD 93 - Paul E. Opsommer

HD 95 - Andy Coulouris

HD 96 - Jeff Mayes

HD 99 - Bill Caul

HD 101 - Dan Scripps

HD 103 - Joel A. Sheltrown

HD 107 - Gary McDowell

HD 109 - Steven W. Lindberg

HD 110 - Michael A. Lahti

# # #

For press questions, please contact:

Mike Shriberg, Policy Director, Ecology Center: 734-904-7015

Cyndi Roper, Director, Clean Water Action - Michigan: 517-490-1394

Abby Rubley, Policy Director, Michigan League of Conservation Voters:
517-420-6777
Sara Talpos, Writer, University of Michigan Lecturer & Concerned Mother:
734-913-1027