Kids Deliver Rubber Duckies to Senators: Don't Duck Reform, Protect Us from Toxic Chemicals

ALBANY, N.Y., June 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children pulling a wagon filled with rubber duckies trooped through the halls of the Legislative Office Building and Capitol today.  They delivered the duckies to each Senate office with this call: Don't duck reform: Protect us from toxic chemicals.  Pass S. 4614.

With less than two weeks left in Legislative Session, kids, parents, health advocates and consumer advocates, including Clean and Healthy New York, are taking action to urge the NYS Senate to get toxic chemicals out of toys and other children's products.  Several states have already taken similar measures, including California, Maine, Minnesota, and Washington.

In Washington State, children's product makers recently disclosed that over 5,000 types of children's products contain chemicals that can cause cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, obesity, and infertility. The disclosure came as a result of a law similar to that being advanced in New York. S. 4614, introduced by freshman Long Island Republican Senator Phil Boyle, would identify high-hazard chemicals, prioritize certain chemicals for action, disclose their use in children's products, and ultimately phase them out in those applications.

Senator Boyle said, "We need stricter regulations to ensure that our children's products are free of dangerous toxic chemicals. Our Child Safe Products Act calls for a method of identifying chemicals that are potentially harmful to children, notifying the public, and discontinuing their use."

"I'm here so we can get toxic chemicals out of children's products and I can get more toys," said Ananda Wilding, an 8-year-old who led the group of children.  "Right now, my mom doesn't know if she should buy me a toy I want or not.  Toys should be safe for all kids."

"Senator Skelos and Senator Klein have the power to make sure the Child Safe Products Act gets a vote by the full Senate before they leave Albany on June 20^th," said Roger Downs, Conservation Director for the Sierra Club and father of two.  "I'd like them to tell me which toxic chemicals they think it's OK to be in my children's toys, clothes and other necessities."

The full release can be accessed at: http://www.just-green.org/2013/06/dont-duck-reform.html

For more information: Bobbi Chase Wilding, Clean and Healthy New York, 518-708-3875

SOURCE Clean and Healthy New York, Inc.