Editor’s note: This commentary is by Liz Edsell, of Montpelier, who is the associate director of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG).
[T]his week the Vermont Senate has one last chance to protect kids from toxic chemicals in 2017. As a new mom, and the associate director of VPIRG, I know how badly we need our leaders to stand up for a toxics-free Vermont. With over 85,000 unregulated and largely untested chemicals in the United States, an EPA that is facing drastic budget cuts, and a president who has threatened the few regulations protecting the public that are on the books – the Vermont Senate must take a stand to protect kids by passing S.103 this week.
Any parent will tell you that we would do anything to protect our new baby from harm. They’ll also tell you how eager their kids are to put toys (or anything else in reach) in their mouths. Imagine being a new mom or dad and finding out that those toys, and other common children’s products, were made with toxic chemicals. Chemicals that could impact your child’s brain development or future reproductive health, or that they could put your new baby at an increased risk of certain cancers later in life.
The bottom line is that S.103 will strengthen the Department of Health — and ensure that kids are better protected from the many toxic chemicals currently found in toys, children’s products and drinking water.
Now imagine that you could trust the Vermont commissioner of Health to act when a chemical is found to be toxic. Or that the water used to make formula from the new well you dug last year was truly clean. What if you could easily search the Department of Health’s website to find out if your kid’s toys contained toxic chemicals before you bought them? Imagine the feeling of calm and Vermont pride that your kids are safe from toxic chemicals because the Vermont Senate took action this week.
Earlier in the session the Senate passed an initial version of a bill to begin addressing a severe lack of protections from toxic chemicals on the state and federal level. As a new mom the best gift I could get this Mother’s Day is knowing that my daughter has a building of legislators who will protect her from toxic chemicals. This week I urge senators to end the session strong by finishing what they started and passing the final version of S.103.
The bottom line is that S.103 will strengthen the Department of Health — and ensure that kids are better protected from the many toxic chemicals currently found in toys, children’s products and drinking water. We know that the Senate can stand up for Vermont’s kids by passing this bill.
Every day that we protect kids from toxic chemicals counts. Let’s not wait another year to pass strong toxics reform legislation. Give the gift of healthy kids this Mother’s Day. Tell your senator to pass S.103, and protect Vermont’s children.
