After bill is introduced, chemical companies agree to voluntarily stop making DecaBDE
 

This week Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduced legislation to ban products containing DecaBDE (“Deca.”)  The Deca-bromine Elimination and Control Act  (H.R. 4394) would phase out the chemical, commonly used as a flame retardant, by 2013 and require companies to use safer alternatives.
 
The introduction of Pingree’s bill came after months of negotiations with the chemical industry and environmental groups.  Then, late yesterday, after Pingree called a press conference to announce the bill, the chemical industry announced it would enter into a voluntary agreement with the EPA to stop producing DecaBDE within three years.
 
“I am encouraged by this eleventh hour agreement and if it is followed it will achieve my primary goal with this legislation—getting Deca out of our environment,” Pingree said.
 
However, Pingree vowed to press ahead with this legislation.
 
“The chemical industry hasn’t always lived up to voluntary agreements,” Pingree said.  “This bill will make sure they do.”
 
Pingree’s bill also insures that any alternatives to Deca are safe as well. 
 
“We need to make sure that the industry doesn’t start using another chemical that is just as dangerous as Deca, so this bill has a provision to make sure that any alternative they come up with has to be safe,” she said.
 
Deca has been linked to various health risks, including intellectual and physical developmental problems in children, and compromised immune systems and interference with reproductive hormones in adults.
 
“Children absorb the toxin not only through strollers and car seats, but household dust and even their mother’s breast milk.  Since its presence has become nearly impossible to avoid, we need to ban Deca’s use in all products,” Pingree said.
 
It is estimated that almost 100 million pounds of deca-bromine may be used in the manufacture of plastic pallets in the coming years.  These plastic pallets are used primarily to transport food and deca-bromine-laden dust from plastic pallets has the potential to come into contact with food and food packaging.  
 
Pingree’s daughter, Maine Speaker of the House Hannah Pingree, sponsored successful legislation to ban the chemical in Maine in 2006.  “Today I am honored to continue the long tradition of bringing good ideas from Maine to Washington,” Congresswoman Pingree said.
 
Michael Belliveau, Executive Director of the Environmental Health Center, praised Pingree’s legislation.
 
 “This legislation offers a common sense, science-based solution to a serious environmental health threat,” he said.
 
“I applaud Congresswoman Pingree’s efforts calling for a national ban of the harmful flame retardant DecaBDE,” said David Littell, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.  “In 2007, Maine passed legislation to replace this hazardous chemical with safer alternatives – a national ban will ensure that children all across the country are protected from further exposure to a chemical that has been found in everything from household dust to breast milk.”
 
The association representing professional fire fighters also welcomed the bill.
 
“For several years, the IAFF and our affiliates from coast to coast have been working to get Deca off the market,” said Harold A. Schaitberger, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters.  “Congresswoman Pingree has courageously taken the lead on the issue in Congress.”
 
“Today, Representative Pingree is moving forward to ensure Maine families and wildlife are protected from preventable diseases caused by the toxic chemical, Deca-BDE,” said Matt Prindiville, Clean Production Project Director for the Natural Resources Council of Maine.  “The sooner this bill is adopted by Congress, the sooner our children’s health will be protected.”
 
Other organizations praising Pingree’s bill include the Environmental Working Group and Food and Water Watch.