June 2008
2008 Legislative Session
Washington Toxics Coalition
by Laurie Valeriano
Laurie Valeriano is policy director for Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC). She joined the WTC staff in 1995 and became a full-time organizer in July 1996. Prior to joining the Toxics Coalition, she worked for Washington Citizens for Resource Conservation and for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG).
Washington now has the strongest standards for children’s products in the nation!
After the Senate’s 40 to 9 approval of the Children’s Safe Product Act on March 7, the House concurred a few days later with a vote of 92 to 2. The bill was then signed into law by Governor Gregoire on April 2, 2008.
“This is a significant victory that will protect children from dangerous chemicals in toys and other products,” said Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, environmental health advocate for Washington Toxics Coalition. “This bill is the strongest in the nation and will serve as a model for others to follow.”
Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36), lead sponsor and champion of the bill in the House, worked tirelessly to pass this landmark piece of legislation.
“This is great news for the kids who will be protected from toxic toys and great news for parents who won’t have to worry whether the toys and other products they buy for their kids are safe,” said Dickerson. “I’m proud the Legislature put the safety of children first.”
The bill received critical support from doctors, nurses and other health professionals, especially in the final days leading up to its passage.
“The health community applauds this crucial step forward in making the health and development of our children a top priority,” said Richard Grady, MD, pediatric urologist and board member of Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility. “We have a responsibility to ensure that our children’s minds and bodies do not bear the burden of damage from toxic chemicals in any product, and especially toys — this legislative action is a victory for children’s health and futures.”
“This is a great win for our children and the health of future generations. The very toys that create joy in a child’s life won’t be poisoning them. Parents and grandparents had always assumed that toys and other children’s products were safe for use. Now we’ll know what is safe,” said Karen Bowman of Karen Bowman and Associates and the Washington State Nurses Association.
The medical community joined parents, children and other children’s advocates in Olympia for a lobby day and rally on the capitol steps. The rally included a 20-foot blow-up yellow duck that urged legislators to vote for the bill with a sign that said, “Don’t Duck Out On Children’s Health.” §
Children’s Safe Products Act
The final bill includes the following:
• The strongest lead, cadmium and phthalates standards for children’s products in the nation.
• Requirements for state agencies to identify other chemicals that could harm children’s health that are potentially present in toys and other children’s products.
• Requirements for manufacturers to disclose information on toxic chemicals used in their products.
We want to thank the following legislators for their amazing efforts on this bill: Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, Sen. Debbie Regala, Rep. Ross Hunter (champion of the PBDE bill in 2007), Sen. Phil Rockefeller, Rep. Zack Hudgins, Rep. Tom Campbell, Rep. Skip Priest, Rep. Bob Sump, Rep. Dan Newhouse, Rep. Hans Dunshee, House Speaker Frank Chopp, Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, Sen. Jim Kastama, Sen. Jim Hargrove, Sen. Dan Swecker and, of course, all of the legislators who voted in favor of the bill.
Many organizations and individuals spent great time and effort in helping to pass this bill. Here are just a few of the organizations that were key in making sure the bill passed in the strongest form: American Academy of Pediatrics (Washington State Chapter), Breast Cancer Fund, Children’s Alliance, Earth Ministry, League of Women Voters, People for Puget Sound, Planned Parenthood of Western Washington, Physicians for Social Responsibility, WashPIRG, Washington Conservation Voters, Washington Environmental Council, Moms Rising, Institute for Children’s Environmental Health, Fuse, Washington State Medical Association and Washington State Nurses Association and all of the members of the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition. These groups deserve huge thanks and praise, as do all of the Washington Toxics Coalition members and supporters that helped us win this incredible victory. §
