Finding agreement in Olympia can sometimes be a challenge, but there’s one issue both Democrats and Republicans should agree on this session: protecting children and families from harmful and unnecessary flame retardant chemicals. That’s why we’re sponsoring the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act (HB 1174), a bill to eliminate toxic flame retardants from children’s products and furniture.

Our homes are loaded with flame retardant chemicals. They are in our couches, and products we give our kids. Toxic chemicals escape from these products and settle in house dust, where it’s picked up by babies who crawl around and put their hands in their mouths. We also breathe in the dust just by walking by as it floats in the air.

Scientists have been sounding the alarm for decades that these chemicals are bad for our health. Studies link these chemicals to cancer, reproductive harm and developmental problems.

Children are much more susceptible to chemical exposure because of their small size, rapid development and how often they put their hands in their mouths. A recent study found toddlers have five times the amount of flame retardant chemicals in their bodies as their mothers.

Firefighters, who risk their lives every day to protect our families and homes, are also more vulnerable to these chemicals. Rep. Van De Wege is a firefighter and knows he is exposed to a toxic soup of burning chemicals while on the job, including toxic flame retardants. We shouldn’t add to higher than average cancer risks of firefighters by keeping unnecessary toxic flame retardants in products.

Of course we want to make sure our families are safe from fires. But we don’t need toxic flame retardants for fire safety. There are many safer, effective ways of ensuring products in our homes are fire safe.

Several major companies have stopped using these chemicals in their products so that they can meet the demand for less-toxic, but fire safe, products, and have pledged to stop buying products containing toxic flame retardants.

Some of the nation’s largest retailers have eliminated or begun phasing out furniture containing toxic flame retardants. The industry is recognizing that it’s time for a change. It’s time we did the same.

Many legislators agree that toxic flame retardants are a problem. However, there is some disagreement on whether the state toxics control agency should be allowed to stop harmful chemicals. We believe it is reasonable in this case because the flame retardants are harmful and there are safer alternatives.

All of these reasons are why we can come together and enthusiastically support the Toxic-Free Kids and Families Act. We are working together and making progress protecting kids and firefighters from toxic chemicals. The rest of the Legislature should do the same.

– State Reps. Kevin Van De Wege and David Taylor