WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Rep. Kevin Van De Wege’s statement on House passage of the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act

Baby Sitting in Car Seat“Last night, a majority of the state House agreed that when it comes to toxic chemicals, we can’t continue to put people’s health unnecessarily at risk.

 “The Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act bans two cancer-causing chemicals that are touted by the industry as having fire-safe properties. Yet, sound research casts serious doubt on the effectiveness of these chemicals in slowing the spread of a fire. In fact, studies have shown that these chemicals increase the toxicity of a fire, threatening the health of our first responders. 

“What makes this bill effective is that it prohibits an equally toxic – or more toxic – chemical from being substituted for the banned ones. There are safer options already on the market, and we owe it to our children to make sure that we don’t needlessly expose them to harmful, carcinogenic substances.”