DeLauro Introduces Bill To Protect Infants And Toddlers From Toxic Flame Retardants In Kid's Products

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced legislation to protect children from the harmful health effects of flame retardants 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 flame retardant chemicals may be associated with a litany of health problems. And while 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 being exposed to these damaging chemicals when they are still developing and at their most vulnerable.

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

DeLauro's legislation has support from a number of advocacy groups, including: Green Science Policy Institute; Women's Voices for the Earth; Clean Production Action; Zero to Three; IKEA North America Services, LLC; First Focus; Environmental Working Group; Physicians for Social Responsibility: U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG); Children's Defense Fund; and Alaska Community Action on Toxics. Original cosponsors are Representatives 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 risks associated with flame retardant chemicals, including those in the New York Times and Chicago Tribune.

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