OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Washington state legislators are announcing plans to ban a suspected carcinogen from being used as a flame retardant in children’s products.
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle, and Sen. Sharon Nelson, D-Seattle, said Wednesday that their identical bills would also prevent manufacturers from replacing chlorinated Tris with other chemicals that pose health risks to children.
Nelson and Dickerson pointed to a recent study by the Washington Toxics Coalition that found 85 percent of baby and children’s products tested contained large amounts of chlorinated Tris.
The chemical was used in children’s pajamas in the 1970’s but was voluntarily taken off the market by industry after it was suspected of causing cancer.
Both bills will receive public hearings Tuesday. The chemicals and children’s product industries are expected to oppose the proposed changes.
