Maine Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says she'll push ahead with legislation she introduced in the House this week to ban a toxic flame retardant, despite an 11th hour offer from a number of chemical companies to voluntarily phase out the use of deca-bromine in their products. Pingree says she'll press forward with the bill because voluntary chemical bans in the past have not always worked out as planned.
"Second, and important, this bill makes sure than any alternatives to deca used will be as safe as they need to be," Pingree said.
Pingree was in Portland today addressing environmental groups and firefighters about HR 4394 - The Deca-Bromine elimination and control, which aims to phase out the chemical by 2013 and would require companies to use safer chemicals.
A state law banning the chemical, sponsored by Chellie Pingree's daughter, Maine House speaker Hannah Pingree, is scheduled to take effect in 2 weeks.