DeLauro Introduces Bill to Protect Infants and Toddlers from Toxic Flame Retardants in Kid’s Products

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introducedlegislation to protect children from the harmful health effects of flameretardants today. The Decrease Unsafe Toxins (DUST) Act would ban kids'products that contain an unacceptable level of toxic flame retardant chemicals,reducing exposure to these harmful chemicals by infants and kids.

"Research clearly shows that exposure to toxic flameretardant chemicals may be associated with a litany of health problems. Andwhile some flame retardants were removed from children's sleepwear decades ago,similar chemicals continue to be used in children's products such as strollers,bouncers, baby carriers and changing table pads. Infants and toddlers are beingexposed to these damaging chemicals when they are still developing and at theirmost vulnerable.

"Furthermore, according to data from fire protection groups,no fire safety benefit exists from including flame retardant chemicals inproducts. We know these harmful chemicals should be banned from products usedby our most vulnerable population, children. The DUST Act would do justthat. I hope my colleagues support this common-sense legislation and Congresscan act to protect our children."

DeLauro's legislation has support from a number of advocacygroups, including: Green Science Policy Institute; Women's Voices for theEarth; Clean Production Action; Zero to Three; IKEA North America Services,LLC; First Focus; Environmental Working Group; Physicians for SocialResponsibility: U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG); Children's DefenseFund; and Alaska Community Action on Toxics. Original cosponsors areRepresentatives Barbara Lee (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Charles Rangel (D-NY)and Louise Slaughter (D-NY).

A number of recent reports have highlighted the health risksassociated with flame retardant chemicals, including those in the NewYork Times and Chicago Tribune.