Dear Rev.R.Chance Voight:



I believe that protecting the health of our children is of utmost importance. Like you, I am concerned by the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products, and I would like to share with you what I am trying to do.



I am an original cosponsor of the "BPA-Free Kids Act" (S. 2928), which was introduced by Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) on April 29, 2008. This bill would ban any consumer products that contain detectable amounts of BPA, and are intended for use by children under the age of seven and pregnant women. A federal government report found that BPA is potentially dangerous to human development and reproduction. This bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. While I am not a member of that committee, I will continue to advocate for passage of this legislation.



Additionally, on March 4, 2008, I offered an amendment to the "Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Reform Act" (S. 2663) that would ban the use of phthalates in toys for children under the age of three. Phthalates are chemicals added to plastic products to make them soft and pliable. They are found in a variety of consumer products, including children's toys and products like teethers and rubber ducks. When children place toys in their mouths, these chemicals leach out of the plastic and enter their bodies. Exposure to phthalates can interfere with the functioning of the hormone system and can cause other severe long-term health effects.



I am pleased to inform you that on August 14, 2008, the President signed into law the CPSC Reform Act, which included this measure to ban phthalates from children's toys and childcare articles. I believe we need to look at reforming our nation's entire chemical regulatory system. Chemical additives should not be placed in products that can impact health adversely until they are tested and found to be benign. Instead, we need to take the same precautionary approach as other countries, such as those in the European Union, to protect vulnerable populations, especially children, from potentially toxic chemicals.



Again, thank you for contacting me. If you should have any further comments or questions, please feel free to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.




Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator


Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list at http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ENewsletterSignup.Signup.