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4/4/2017
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Rep. Morin introduces bill to prohibit dangerous chemicals in furniture, bedding and children’s products
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 STATE HOUSE — Rep. Michael Morin (D-Dist. 49, Woonsocket) has introduced legislation that would prohibit the sale of furniture, bedding and children products that contain certain cancer-causing chemicals.
The legislation (2017-H 5082) would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of residential upholstered furniture and upholstered bedding and children’s products that contain certain amounts of a chemical containing the element bromide or chlorine bonded to carbon that is added to a plastic, foam, or textile.
“These chemicals are used in many products today as a flame retardant in furniture and many other products, including infant changing pads,” explained Representative Morin, who serves as a captain in the Woonsocket Fire Department and as assistant deputy state fire marshal. “Not only have these chemicals been proven ineffective, they produce more smoke and toxic gases and have been linked to higher cancer rates and respiratory problems in firefighters. Studies have also shown that children are also at risk from prolonged low-level exposure to these substances.”
The chemicals are used widely as flame retardants in a number of consumer products, including mattresses, furniture foam, consumer electronics, wire insulation, draperies and upholstery. These compounds also have been associated with liver toxicity, thyroid toxicity, and neurodevelopmental toxicity in humans. Molecules from these products are bonding in the air with dust particles and being inhaled by children.
“These problems are alarming, and it’s time that Rhode Island join the 13 other states that have already enacted laws to ban these cancer-causing chemicals,” said Representative Morin.
The bill would carry the penalty of a fine not to exceed $5,000 for the first violation, and up to $10,000 for each subsequent violation.
The legislation, which is cosponsored by Representatives Arthur Handy (D-Dist. 18, Cranston), Aaron Regunberg (D-Dist. 4, Providence), Stephen M. Casey (D-Dist. 50, Woonsocket) and Edith H. Ajello (D-Dist. 1, Providence), has been referred to the House Health, Education and Welfare Committee. Similar legislation (2016-S 0166) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Adam J. Satchell (D-Dist. 9, West Warwick).
For more information, contact:
Daniel Trafford, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-1922
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