Bill would protect children from ‘poison’ products

In a move to stop manufacturers from “poisoning our children,” a handful of state lawmakers are pledging to pursue legislation to crack down on the use of toxic chemicals in children’s products.

State Rep. Diana Urban, D-North Stonington, has proposed a bill that would ban any product marketed for the use by young children that contains the Tris flame retardant chemical.

The ban would include clothing, toys, nursing pillows, crib mattresses and changing pads marketed for children aged 3 and under.

The flame-retardant chemicals specifically targeted are TDCPP, TDCP, TCEP or TCPP, which Urban says are carcinogenic and mutagenic.

“We want to let the industry know that we do not want them poisoning our children,” Urban said.

Another bill would require food or drink to be labeled if it is packaged in anything containing bisphenol-A. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned the use of bisphenol-A in bottles and sippy cups last year.

The group also said it will lobby for another bill would restrict the use of cadmium in children’s jewelry and key chains.