CFC Supports SB 772 (Leno) - Protecting Children from Toxics - Held up in Assembly Appropriations
by Consumer Federation of California
Bill Update: SB 772 (Leno) was defeated in Assembly Appropriations by a vote of 6 to 5, with 6 abstentions (needed 9 votes to pass). The bill passed theAssembly Business and Professions Committee by a vote of 7 to 2, the AssemblyEnvironmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee on June 30th by a vote of 4 to 2, and cleared the Senate by a vote of 23 to 14 on June 3, 2009. The bill will be brought back for one more vote in Assembly Appropriations Committee in January 2010.
CFC Position: Support
Note: SB 772 was amended and narrowed on July 7th to free just four products from California's flawed flammability requirement, these are: strollers, high chairs, nursing pillows and bassinets.
The Consumer Federation of California supports SB 772 (Leno), and we also urge Senator Leno to oppose weakening amendments that may be offered.
SB 772 would protect infants and children from exposure to toxic brominated and chlorinated fire retardants that are used in cribs, strollers, toddler pillows and chairs and other bedding and seating furniture.
The bill prevents the Bureau of Home Furnishings and Thermal Insulation from applying fire retardancy regulations to “juvenile products” designed for use by children age six or under.
Brominated and chlorinated fire retardants are associated with numerous public health concerns, including cancer, birth defects, thyroid disruption, hearing deficits, learning disorders such as ADHD, and mental retardation.
Watch this 2008 CBS News report on toxic flame retardants.
Some of the chemicals being used today were banned from use in children’s sleepwear in 1977 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, but are still creating exposure to children through direct physical or oral contact with furniture.
Banning brominated and chlorinated fire retardants in children’s furniture and bedding will also reduce the exposure of furniture workers to these toxins and reduce exposure to marine wildlife and the environment from extremely harmful levels of chemical pollution.
SB 772 strikes the proper balance between protecting infants and children from harmful toxic exposures and any limited legitimate use of fire retardants. The bill allows the Bureau to require use of fire retardants in juvenile products if the Bureau determines that the product poses a fire hazard.
SB 772 is an important health measure that protects children from dangerous toxic exposures. We urge the Legislature to support this bill and reject any proposed amendments that would expand the requirement for toxic fire retardants in certain categories of juvenile products.
