TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP)

Liberty Goodwin, Director

P.O. Box 40441, Providence, RI 02940

Tel. 401-351-9193, E-Mail: TIP@toxicsinfo.org

Website: www.toxicsinfo.org

(Lighting the Way to Less Toxic Living)

OPEN LETTER TO THE RI GENERAL ASSEMBLY

PROTECT KIDS IN RHODE ISLAND FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS IN THEIR TOYS & OTHER PRODUCTS!

Support RI Children’s Product Safety Legislation To Prohibit Toxic Phthalates & Bisphenol-A in Children’s Products & Toys

WHEREAS:

**Phthalates/PVC and Bisphenol-A are chemicals known to be present in many toys and products made for use by young children.

Studies have shown that these chemicals leach out of products during use, and especially when heated. Young children are exposed by inhalation of fumes - and by mouthing and chewing toys and drinking from baby bottles and sippy cups.

**Studies also indicate that these chemicals are endocrine disrupters associated, even at extremely low doses, with reproductive and other health effects in animals, including obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, autism, and cancer. Possible effects in humans include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and associated neuro-developmental and behavioral problem. BPA, an estrogen mimicker, is associated with early puberty and breast cancer in girls and reproductive abnormalities in boys, such as low testosterone levels. Phthalates have been linked to a variety of illnesses including liver and hormonal damage, cancer, birth defects, developmental harm, premature breast development in girls and male genital defects.

**Some research is suspect. One biology professor found 100% of studies funded or carried out by industry claimed no harm from BPA -but 100% of independent research found cause for serious concern - and some pointed to serious flaws in industry findings.

**Besides effects from personal exposure, these plasticizers have been detected in ground water - 20% of the chemicals designated “emerging pollutants of concern” in a Florida study. Some contaminants survive treatment of drinking water sources.

**The European Union, and a dozen other countries, in addition to the states of California & Washington, have already found this concern important enough to restrict the use of the phthalates in question.

THEREFORE, WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOL & HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS, & OTHER RESIDENTS OF THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND STATE THAT:

Since a significant number of respected scientists think that neurological and/or reproductive harm can be done to children by these chemicals, it is not justifiable to continue to allow this exposure, waiting for “proof” of harm. Our kids & grandkids, the young and vulnerable in Rhode Island, are entitled to a level of protection equal to that elsewhere.

THE RI GENERAL ASSEMBLY OWES IT TO US TO FORBID THE SALE HERE OF PRODUCTS FOR YOUNG CHILDREN CONTAINING THESE HARMFUL CHEMICALS. WE CALL ON OUR LEGISLATORS TO QUICKLY TAKE THIS ACTION!

SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN’S PRODUCT SAFETY LEGISLATION

INDIVIDUAL SIGNERS OF RI OPEN LETTER

TOTALS AS OF MAY 3, 2008: 371 RI 120 Other GRAND TOTAL: 491

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORTERS OF RI LEGISLATION

Environmental Justice League of RI, Environment Council of RI (ECRI), Clean Water Action RI, Childhood Lead Action (CLAP),

Toxics Action Center, Breast Cancer Fund, Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ), American Lung Association RI, Westerly Land Trust, RI State Nurses Association, ENACT, North Smithfield Prevention Task Force.

ACTION IN OTHER STATES & COUNTRIES

(NOTE: The 2008 TIP campaign in RI focused on S2685/H7812, a simple ban on phthalates and bisphenol-A , because it was felt more practical than the more comprehensive H7093/S2381, given current limited RI agency resources.. There is a phthalates ban amendment to the proposed U.S. Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008, but only in the Senate version, and likely to be removed in conference committee.)

CALIFORNIA: State-wide phthalates ban, 2007; earlier San Francisco Bisphenol-A ban.

WASHINGTON, March 2008 and MAINE, April 2008: Chemicals reporting and regulation bills similar to 2008 RI bill H7093/S2381.

EUROPEAN UNION: Directive setting strict standards for chemicals in children’s products (and in cosmetics), including phthalates ban - since late 1990s. OTHER: At least a dozen other countries have similar regulations.

CANADA: Declared Bisphenol-A to be a toxin, in April, 2008 . Ban anticipated.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORTERS IN OTHER STATES

MAINE: Maine Medical Association, the Maine Chapters of the Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Nurses Association, and the American Lung Association. Local toy stores and Maine based manufacturers including Red Dragon Toys, The Briar Patch Toy Store, Interface Fabric, and Tom’s of Maine. The AFL-CIO, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Maine. The Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine, whose members include the Environmental Health Strategy Center, the Learning Disabilities Association of Maine, the Maine Conservation Voters Education Fund, Maine Council of Churches, Maine Labor Group on Health, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, the Maine Peoples Alliance, the Maine Women’s Policy Center, the Natural Resources Council of Maine, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and Toxics Action Center.

WASHINGTON: American Academy of Pediatrics, Washington Chapter, American Lung Association of Washington, Autism Recovery Resources of Washington , Breast Cancer Fund, Children's Alliance, Climate Solutions, Community Coalition for Environmental Justice, Earth Ministry, Environment Washington, Fertile Path, Heart of America Northwest, Institute for Children's Environmental Health, Institute of Neurotoxicology and Neurological Disorders, League of Women Voters of Washington, Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County, Lutheran Public Policy Office of Washington State, Olympic Environmental Council, People For Puget Sound, Planned Parenthood Public Policy Network of WA, Public Health - Seattle & King County, Safe Food and Fertilizer, Sightline Institute, Washington Association for Education of Young Children, Washington Blue-Green Alliance, Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation, Washington Conservation Voters, Washington Environmental Council, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Washington State Association of Head Start & ECEAP, Washington State Association of Occupational Health Nurses, Washington State Child Care Resource & Referral Network, Washington State Medical Association, Washington State Nurses Association, Washington Toxics Coalition, WashPIRG, The Lands Council