Statement
Oral Testimony at CPSC on Rulemaking to Protect Children from Consumer Products Chemicals, September 14, 2017
Oral Testimony at CPSC on Rulemaking to Protect Children from Consumer Products Chemicals, September 14, 2017
Statement of Ricardo Simmonds, Environmental Policy Advisor, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, regarding Petition for Rulemaking to Protect Consumers and Children from Toxic Flame Retardant Chemicals in Four Categories of Household Products, submitted by e-mail.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) supports a petition to ban organohalogen flame retardants in household products to protect consumers, especially children.
- Moral Perspective: Rooted in Catholic teaching, the testimony emphasizes care for creation and protection of human life and dignity, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
- Health Concerns:
- Children (born and unborn) are highly susceptible to environmental toxins, which can cause asthma, cancers, learning disabilities, and developmental issues.
- Organohalogen flame retardants are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, lowered immunity, decreased IQ, and behavioral problems.
- Catholic Initiatives:
- Formation of the Catholic Coalition for Children and a Safe Environment (CASE) to address environmental hazards.
- Conferences and convocations focused on toxins and their impact on unborn children.
- Call to Action:
- Urges CPSC to ban these chemicals from children’s products, furniture, mattresses, and electronics casings.
- Highlights disproportionate impact on poor communities and environmental degradation.
- Ethical Framework: Inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, stressing interconnectedness of environmental, social, and human health and the moral duty to protect future generations.