Letter to the Editor for Safer Alternatives
Give Massachusetts Children a Happy Valentine's Day, 2008
Pass the Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals bill.
Ellie Goldberg, Newton, MA -- Published in the Newton Tab, 02 13 08
I am writing to thank Senator Cynthia Creem for her leadership in co-sponsoring S-2481 An Act Providing for Safer Alternatives to Toxic Chemicals which recently passed the Massachusetts Senate. Now this important bill moves to the Massachusetts House.
I also thank bill co-sponsors Newton Representatives Ruth Balser, Kay Kahn, and Peter Koutoujian for their leadership and ongoing commitment. I urge them to maintain their support and to urge their colleagues to pass a strong bill.
The Safer Alternatives Bill will require evaluation of designated "Priority Toxic Chemicals" which are used in Massachusetts and are linked to chronic illnesses, and then mandate safer alternatives to these chemicals where feasible. The bill would also help Massachusetts expand trade with foreign markets that have recently tightened toxic chemical standards such as the European Union. Most important, the Safer Alternatives bill would create a program to protect children from toxic chemicals -- environmental hazards that sabotage their health and development and cost millions of health and education dollars to treat or compensate for acquired illnesses and disabilities.
More information is online at www.healthytomorrow.org.
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