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Toxics Use Reduction
In 2006, MPA went door-to-door to gain support for our campaign to eliminate sources of toxic chemicals from consumer products. Canvassers were armed with petitions asking candidates for the state legislature to support the idea that we should replace unnecessary toxic chemicals with safe, affordable alternatives.
A study recent conducted by the Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine and the University of Southern Maine found that the average participating Mainer had measurable levels of 36 toxic chemicals in their bodies. Maine people are routinely exposed to hazardous industrial chemicals including phthalates from cosmetics and vinyl plastic, brominated flame retardants (PBDEs) from televisions and furniture, Teflon chemicals from stain-resistant and non-stick coatings, bisphenol A from reusable water bottles and baby bottles, and toxic metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic.
More information on the study.
Before 2008, we had many wins for public health in our state, but we had yet to pass any legislation that addresses the fundamental problem of hundreds of products that contain hazardous, industrial chemicals. Most of these chemicals have never been tested, and it is believed that they may cause learning disabilities, cancer, and brain damage. That changed with groundbreaking legislation in 2008 called the Kid-Safe Product Law.
The Kid-Safe Products Law allows the state to identify consumer products, including toys, which contain dangerous toxic chemicals and mandate the removal or replacement of these toxins. MPA is now working to take this Maine law to the national level.
More on the Kid-Safe Products Law.
Join us in the campaign for a cleaner, safer Maine
MPA members meet regularly to plan our environmental campaign. If you'd like to get involved, call Ryan at 990-0672.
For more information
about toxic chemicals commonly found in consumer products, including sources of additional information, please read our Toxics Fact Sheet (PDF file)
Did you know...
The blood of American babies has been found to contain 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants, including pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage (source: Environmental Working Group)
Approximately 360,000 U.S. children suffer from
developmental problems caused by exposure to known toxic
substances (source: Learning Disabilities Association of America)
More than 90% of the chemicals produced in the U.S. have not been fully tested for public safety (source: U.S. General Accounting Office)