Provide Parents with a Right-To-Know About the Most Hazardous Chemicals in Children’s Products
State experts would compile a comprehensive list of “chemicals of concern” based on published authoritative lists.* If these chemicals are used in children’s products, or have been measured in children, household dust, human breast milk or cord blood they would be prioritized into a list of “chemicals of highest concern.” Importers and large manufactures would be required to identify children’s products which contain “chemicals of highest concern” above a threshold level. This information would be made publicly available so that parents and other consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.
Phase-out the Known, Most Harmful Chemical to Which Children are Exposed
Continue the state’s work to carefully identify and phase-out chemicals which pose well-known and unique hazards for children, such as lead, mercury, arsenic, the toxic flame retardant deca-BDE, the pesticide lindane and the plastic additive Bisphenol A (BPA). Take action on chemicals when safer, affordable alternatives are available.
Invest in Growing Green Chemistry Jobs in Michigan
Create tax incentives, state assistance and partnerships for development and use of safer chemicals and products. Provide incentives for educational programs in Green Chemistry and safer chemical and product development. Require state government to procure safer products, including Michigan-grown bio-based products, to the maximum feasible extent.
* “Chemicals of concern” are those that are known to cause cancer, reproductive or developmental harm or other systemic toxicity, hormone disruption or which are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, or very persistent and very bioaccumulative.
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