© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Maine Parents Bring Concerns About Toxic Products to State House

Mal Leary
/
MPBN
Jessica Graham of Waterville calls for better information about chemicals in kids' products at a news conference in Augusta Wednesday.

AUGUSTA, Maine - Parents, health care professionals, fire fighters and lawmakers held a State House news conference today to criticize the way the Department of Environmental Protection has implemented the Maine Kid-Safe products law.

Jessica Graham, of Waterville, says the rules don't tell her about all the dangerous substances that are in various products.

"Unfortunately, even though phthalates have been proven to affect developing fetuses, particularly little boys, I wasn't able to make decisions, do decisions, about exposure because they can be in anything - couch cushions, hand lotion, conditioners," Graham said.

Those attending the news conference endorsed legislation from Freeport Democratic Rep. Sarah Gideon that would require the DEP to include in any rule it issues the list of products that threaten children or pregnant women.

The DEP already has placed seven phthalates on the list of chemicals of high concern and is evaluating their safety.

 

Journalist Mal Leary spearheads Maine Public's news coverage of politics and government and is based at the State House.