Montpelier – The Vermont House gave final approval yesterday to a bill (S.103) that better protects children against dangerous toxic chemicals in children’s products and requires new drinking water wells to be tested for certain harmful contaminants.
The bill was introduced last year, following the discovery of the cancer-causing chemical PFOA in drinking water in Bennington County, and elsewhere around the state. S.103 now needs only the governor’s signature to become law.
“Yesterday’s vote was about protecting the most vulnerable among us – our children – from toxic chemicals that have no business being in kids’ products or our drinking water,” said Lauren Hierl, executive director of Vermont Conservation Voters.
“With the Trump Administration actively working to weaken the regulation of toxic pollution, it’s critical that states step in to protect their citizens,” stated VNRC Policy & Water Program Director Jon Groveman.
“This bill is an important step toward responsible regulation of toxic chemicals. The House now has an opportunity to continue protecting Vermonters by passing S.197, which would hold toxic polluters accountable for releasing harmful chemicals into the environment,” added Groveman.