House Passes Phase-Out of Toxic Chemical, Bill to Governor

On a 39-19 vote, the Oregon House today voted to pass SB 596A, a bill to phase out a dangerous chemical. From the press release:

The House passed a phased-in ban of a flame retardant commonly found in mattresses and other household products.  The bill, SB 596, adds Deca-BDE to the list of hazardous substances currently being phased out of the market due to potential public health risks.

“Deca is an effective fire retardant, but it poses potentially serious health risks,” said Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland), who carried the bill on the House floor. “Using it does not make us safer when there are safe and equally effective alternatives to Deca.”

Leading companies have been phasing out deca over the past several years, including HP, Ikea, and others. The bill had the support of Oregon's fire fighters. More coverage from OLCV previous news. The bill was championed by Sen. Mark Hass, and carried in the House by Rep. Ben Cannon.

Congrats also to Sue Marshall, lobbyist for Willamette Riverkeepers and Aubudon Society of Portland, who advocated for the bill.

The chemical industry had spent over $100,000 on four high-profile lobbyists to try to kill the bill, but it passed with the support of five Republican Representatives (Reps. Berger, Bruun, Cameron, Kennemer, and Sprenger) as well as 34 Democrats (all Democrats but Rep. Schaufler, who voted no, and Rep. Komp, who was excused).  The bill now goes to the Governor.