National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
For Immediate Release Contact:
February 1, 2005 Jane Krentz 612-581-6978
Del. Jim Hubbard 301-858-3103
GREAT LAKES STATE LEGISLATORS WORK ACROSS STATE LINES TO PROTECT CHILDREN'S HEALTH
Bethesda, MD - Today, Midwest legislators participating in the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators announced a joint effort to make the Great Lakes region a better, safer place to raise children. By introducing and working to pass children’s environmental health legislation in each state, legislators hope to address adverse affects of toxic chemicals and air and water pollution on these most sensitive members of our society.
“Protecting our children and pregnant women from pollution and harmful chemicals will make the Great Lakes region a healthier place for all of us,” said NCEL Midwest Coordinator and former Minnesota State Senator Jane Krentz.
Legislators in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin are working together to improve the environment and improve the health of children living in the region. The goal is to develop an ad hoc regional policy by introducing similar legislation in each state.
“Working in a bi-partisan manner at the state level to protect the health of our kids and their environment is the right thing to do,” said NCEL Chair Maryland Delegate James Hubbard who sponsored legislation to create Maryland’s children’s environmental health advisory council.
Throughout the Great Lakes region, legislators will be introducing bills focused on children’s environmental health which may include banning the use of toxic flame retardants, curbing mercury pollution, notifying students and parents when pesticides are sprayed around schools, and limiting idling times for school buses. Some states are also hoping to establish children’s environmental health advisory councils.
“According to environmental health experts, children are more vulnerable and therefore need further protection from toxic chemicals and pollution. Pound for pound, children eat more food, drink more water and breathe more air than adults,” Krentz said. “Thus, they are likely to be more exposed to dangerous substances in their environment than are adults.”