54 Incoming State Representatives Commit to Getting Toxics Out of Toys
December 3, 2008
Ann Arbor, MI: Last Tuesday Michigan voters elected at least 54 State Representatives committed to protecting kids from toxic chemicals in toys. In a strong response to the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids (HMHK) coalition and voters across the state, nearly 50% of all 2009/10 Michigan House of Representatives members officially signed the HMHK platform, a comprehensive approach to addressing toxics in children’s products.
“Lead, mercury, arsenic and other toxic chemicals simply do not belong in toys and children’s products, and ultimately, in our children,” said state Representative-Elect Bill Rogers. “I’m proud that so many of my colleagues have pledged to protect children’s health and I look forward to working with them to implement the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids agenda.”
“Part of my responsibility as a State Representative is to protect my youngest constituents,” said State Representative Mark Meadows (East Lansing). “I will work diligently to see that legislation based on the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids platform is introduced quickly.”
Even though the media paid more attention to toy recalls last year, over 6 million children’s products have already been recalled in 2008 because of lead and parents are increasingly concerned about safety during the upcoming holiday season. The federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, enacted in August, will eventually alleviate some of the most obvious problems with toxic toys but does not go nearly far enough to protect Michigan’s children.
“I worry about what chemicals are in my children’s toys,” said Sara Talpos, mother of 2 young children and author of a recent article about her experiences exploring the toxic hazards of children’s products. “Parents have a right to know what chemicals are in children’s products so we can make informed decisions when shopping for our kids.”
The HMHK coalition calls for Michigan to follow the lead of other states and countries by taking initial, commonsense steps to protect Michigan's children from toxic chemicals by eliminating added lead, mercury, and arsenic in kid’s products; identifying other chemicals of concern; ensuring consumer “right-to-know” about chemicals of highest concern; and jumpstarting Michigan’s economy with green chemistry and safer alternatives.
Voters across Michigan asked their candidates to sign the HMHK platform.
“We’ve been overwhelmed and encouraged by the commitment of incoming State Representatives to protect kids from needless exposures to toxic chemicals,” said Mike Shriberg, Ph.D., Policy Director for the Ecology Center. “Not only did we receive 54 official signatures, but many more incoming Representatives expressed their strong support for addressing this issue comprehensively and responsibly.”
The Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids coalition is working with State Representatives to draft the Safe Children’s Product bill package, which would implement the goals outlined in the HMHK platform.
“We look forward to moving ahead with strong bipartisan support in the Michigan Legislature,” said Katie Kelly, Environmental Health Organizer for Clean Water Action. “We need to protect our kids and bolster our state’s economy now.”
The following 2009/10 Representatives signed the Healthy Michigan, Healthy
Kids platform. More information about the initiative can be found
at HealthyMichigan.net.
HD 1 - Timothy Bledsoe (D) |
HD 62 - Kate Segal (D) |
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The Ecology Center is a Michigan-based nonprofit environmental organization that works at the local, state, and national levels for clean production, healthy communities, environmental justice, and a sustainable future.
For press questions, please contact:
Mike Shriberg, Ecology Center: 734-761-3186 x108
Katie Kelly, Environmental Health Organizer, Clean Water Fund: 734-222-6347
Sara Talpos: 734-913-1040
Representative Mark Meadows: 517-373-1786
Representative-Elect Bill Rogers: 810-227-8180
Organizational Members: American Academy of Pediatrics (Michigan Chapter) • Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) • Association for Children's Mental Health • Autism Society of Michigan • Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination • Clean Water Fund • Clinton County Family Resource Center • Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice • East Michigan Environmental Action Council • Ecology Center • Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan • Learning Disabilities Association (LDA) of Michigan • LocalMotionGreen • Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners • Michigan Coalition for Children and Families • Michigan Environmental Council • Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund • Michigan Nurses Association • Science and Environmental Health Network • Sierra Club Michigan Chapter • Voices for Earth Justice
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