Healthy people,
a clean environment
and a thriving economy
Toxic chemicals pose
a threat to public health
Minnesotans are involuntarily exposed to toxic chemicals in
many everyday consumer products, including toys, plastics,
cosmetics and more. Many of these toxic substances
accumulate in our bodies, and pose a significant threat to those
most vulnerable among us: our children.
BPA in Canned
Infant Formula
Compelling science links exposure to these chemicals, even
at low doses, to adverse health effects like cancer, hormone
disruption, and developmental and neurological damage.
Currently, the majority of consumer products aren’t evaluated
for safety, resulting in our involuntary exposure to toxic
chemicals that pose a threat to our health and our environment.
While there are hundreds of toxic chemicals in the products our
children use every day, the Minnesota Toxic Free Kids Act of
2009 started to address this problem by requiring the Minnesota
Department of Health to identify priority chemicals in children’s
products or in products that children could be exposed to.
Cadmium
(The priority chemicals are identified on the reverse side of this factsheet.)
Action is needed
Formaldehyde;
phthalates
We keep hearing about more and more harmful chemicals in
children’s products, even though safer alternatives are often
available. Companies are making baby shampoo without phthalates
and baby clothes and crib sheets without formaldehyde. We should
ensure that all harmful chemicals are removed from kid’s products.
Healthy Legacy supports:
• Manufacturer reporting of priority chemicals in children’s products
• Appropriate restrictions on priority chemicals in children’s products
to protect children from unnecessary exposures
Brominated Flame
Retardants
Healthy Legacy promotes the production and use
of everyday products without toxic chemicals.
healthylegacy.org
Safe products, made safely
The Minnesota Priority
Chemicals list
The following chemicals appear on a list of priority
chemicals that are found in children’s products or
common products that children could be exposed to.
1. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical component of
polycarbonate plastic (#7PC) and is prohibited from baby
bottles and sippy cups sold in Minnesota. However, it’s still
used in food and formula can linings, and thermal credit
card receipts. BPA disrupts hormones in the human body.
Low-dose early life exposures are linked with reproductive
and developmental problems, cancer and diabetes.
2. Cadmium and lead are toxic heavy metals. Even
low-level exposures are linked to adverse effects on
learning and brain development. Federal laws prohibit
lead in children’s toys. Several states, including Minnesota,
prohibit lead and cadmium in children’s jewelry.
3. Formaldehyde is commonly found in textiles,
cleaning products, composite wood products and
as a chemical byproduct in personal care products.
Exposure is linked to cancer and respiratory problems.
4. Phthalates1 are chemicals added to various products,
including softeners in PVC plastic and fragrance-binders
in personal care products. Phthalates disrupt hormones
in the body and exposure is linked to reproductive and
respiratory problems. Some phthalates are banned from
children’s toys in the United States.
5. Brominated flame retardants2 are used in textiles
and electronic enclosures and some are added to polystyrene foam and furniture. Both chemicals are released
from these products and end up in household dust.
Children are exposed through ingesting dust or through
mouthing of textiles. Deca and HBCD adversely affect
learning and development.
MDH website: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/hazardous/
topics/toxfreekids/priority.html
The
•
•
•
2
phthalates included on the Priority Chemicals list are:
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) 85-68-7
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) 84-74-2
Di (2-ethyhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) 117-81-7
The brominated flame retardants on the Priority Chemicals list are:
•
Decabromodiphenyl ether (decaBDE)
•
Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD)
3
Support for Chemical Policy
Reform Crosses Party Lines
New public opinion research conducted by the
Mellman Group finds strong public support for
reforming how chemicals are managed in the
United States. Respondents from across the
political and demographic spectrums expressed
serious concerns about everyday exposure to
toxic chemicals and want to see stronger policies.*
• 73 percent of respondents think the threat
posed by everyday exposure to toxic chemicals
is serious.
• Regardless of political affiliation, voters are
much more likely to support a candidate for
public office who promotes better health and
safety standards for chemicals.
• Tightening chemical laws was listed among
the top five national issues of concern.
* http://www.saferchemicals.org/resources/opinion-2010.html
(612) 870-3407
info@healthylegacy.org
healthylegacy.org
This factsheet was printed in-house.
Who is Healthy Legacy?
Healthy Legacy is a public health coalition
representing over one million Minnesotans that
are dedicated to safe products, made safely.
Founded by the Institute for Agriculture and
Trade Policy and Clean Water Action, our coalition
is comprised of 34 diverse organizations. We
educate consumers, work with leading businesses
and promote protective polices.
Visit healthylegacy.org for a complete list of our coalition partners.