Bill Text: NJ ACR46 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializes Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A in food containers, toys, and child care articles.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee [ACR46 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-ACR46-Introduced.html
ASSEMBLY CONCURRENT RESOLUTION No. 46
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman LINDA R. GREENSTEIN
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Camden)
Assemblywoman L. GRACE SPENCER
District 29 (Essex and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Memorializes Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A in food containers, toys, and child care articles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Concurrent Resolution memorializing Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A in food containers, toys, and child care articles.
Whereas, Phthalates and bisphenol A are hazardous toxins that can have adverse effects on humans and animals and are found in many plastics, food and drink packaging, baby bottles, teething devices, toys, and other child care articles, and children and babies are exposed to these products on a regular basis; and
Whereas, There is substantial evidence that bisphenol A has been shown to have hormone disrupting effects, that virtually everyone carries some level of phthalates in their body, and that high levels of exposure to phthalates may pose a hazard to reproduction and to the health and welfare of children; and
Whereas, The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, also known as diethylhexyl phthalate or DEHP, as a Group B2 probable human carcinogen and added diisononyl phthalate (DINP) to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting requirements of section 313 of the federal "Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986," 42 U.S.C. s.11023, and section 6607 of the federal "Pollution Prevention Act of 1990," 42 U.S.C. s.13106, based upon the carcinogenicity of DINP and liver, kidney, and developmental toxicity; and
Whereas, In 2007, researchers who conducted a study within the United States Department of Health and Human Services found their greatest concern about the hazards of exposure to bisphenol A was the possible neural and behavioral effects caused by bisphenol A exposure in utero, and expressed some concern as well that the chemical could cause problems in developing fetuses and young children; and
Whereas, A number of states have introduced legislation banning the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of toys, child care articles, baby bottles, and food containers made with phthalates or bisphenol A, but federal legislation is needed to create a national standard for manufacturers and distributors; and
Whereas, The United States House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce began investigating the use of bisphenol A in products intended for use by infants and children, and Senator Feinstein and Representative Hooley introduced the "Children's Chemical Risk Reduction Act," S.2275 and H.R.4030, to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of certain children's products that contain phthalates; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper and in the public interest for this Legislature to urge the United States Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A in food containers, toys, and child care articles; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey (the Senate concurring):
1. The United States Congress is memorialized to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A in food containers, toys, and child care articles.
2. Duly authenticated copies of this concurrent resolution, signed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the President and Vice President of the United States, the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, the Speaker and Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the United States Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This concurrent resolution memorializes the United States Congress to enact legislation banning phthalates and bisphenol A in food containers, toys, and child care articles.
The United States Congress has become involved in this issue, with the House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce investigating the use of bisphenol A in products intended for use by infants and children, and with the introduction of the "Children's Chemical Risk Reduction Act," S.2275/H.R.4030, to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of certain children's products that contain phthalates.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency classifies some phthalates as Group B2 probable human carcinogen and in recent years has added phthalates to the list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting requirements of section 313 of the federal "Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986," 42 U.S.C. s.11023, and section 6607 of the federal "Pollution Prevention Act of 1990," 42 U.S.C. s.13106, based upon their carcinogenicity and toxicity. In 2007, a study conducted within the United States Department of Health and Human Services found the greatest concern about the hazards of exposure to bisphenol A was the possible neural and behavioral effects caused by bisphenol A exposure in utero, and expressed some concern as well that the chemical could cause problems in developing fetuses and young children.
A number of states have introduced legislation banning the sale, manufacturing, and distribution of toys, child care articles, baby bottles, and food containers made with phthalates or bisphenol A, but federal legislation is needed to create a national standard for manufacturers and distributors in order to respect interstate commerce and nationally promote safer children's products.
