State House Great Lakes and Environment Committee Holds Long Awaited Hearing on deca-BDE Ban

In December, two hearings were held in the state House of Representatives Great Lakes and Environment Committee on House Bill 4699, which would prohibit the use of deca-BDE, a toxic flame retardant, in the manufacturing, use, or sale of products in Michigan.

Votes have not yet been cast to determine whether the bill will proceed to the full House of Representatives, but the hearing itself is a sign of progress. The Michigan LCV Education Fund has been working with the Michigan Network for Children's Environmental Health (MNCEH) to protect Michigan's children from unnessary risk and exposure to toxic chemicals like deca-BDE for a very long time. The toxic compound, deca-BDE has been linked to health hazards, developmental problems, and has been found in increasing levels in Lake Michigan fish and breast milk in Michigan mothers. Safe alternatives exist, and there is no reason for citizens of Michigan to be exposed to this health hazard.

In other environmental health news, the Children’s Safe Products Act, which requires manufacturers to disclose the use of toxic substances as ingredients in children’s products, is still awaiting a hearing in the state Senate. The Michigan LCV Education Fund and the MNCEH are working constantly to move this issue forward. For more information on both of these issues, please visit the Michigan Network for Children’s Environmental Health.