HLS 14RS-407 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 145
BY REPRESENTATIVE BADON
CONSUMERS/PROTECTI ON: Requests a study and policy recommendations concerning
the health effects of formaldehyde in children's personal care products at levels
currently allowed by law
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, to study2
and assimilate a report concerning the health effects of formaldehyde in children's3
personal care products at levels currently allowed by law with policy4
recommendations for improved practices forty-five days prior to the convening of5
the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.6
WHEREAS, formaldehyde can be found in a variety of everyday personal care7
products, including those used by children; and8
WHEREAS, formaldehyde is considered a human carcinogen by the World Health9
Organization, a probable human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency, and10
can also trigger asthma; and11
WHEREAS, this is of particular concern to young, vulnerable children, where early12
exposure can cause lung damage and increased vulnerability to other toxins and illnesses13
throughout the life span of an individual; and14
WHEREAS, this toxic chemical shows up as a preservative in numerous bubble15
baths, shampoos, body washes, and other products; and 16
WHEREAS, additional chemicals in these products are released as the formaldehyde17
breaks down which may increase exposure to even more hazardous toxins; and18
WHEREAS, model legislation would ban formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers19
from personal care products intended for children eighteen and under; and20 HLS 14RS-407 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 145
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WHEREAS, in order to ensure that this dangerous chemical is not substituted for1
another toxin, model policy specifies that formaldehyde not be replaced with known or2
suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins, endocrine disruptors, and other systemic dangers; and3
WHEREAS, under the proposed policy, manufacturers and wholesalers must4
abandon the use of formaldehyde by 2015, and retailers must join them by 2016; and5
WHEREAS, legislation to ban formaldehyde in the personal care products of6
children was adopted with strong bipartisan support of eighty-five percent of legislators in7
Minnesota in 2013; and8
WHEREAS, Minnesota's bill passed with the support of many groups representing9
physicians, nurses, parents, public health, organized labor, consumers, environmental health,10
and health-affected communities; and11
WHEREAS, the European Union banned formaldehyde from certain uses, and12
requires labeling when it exceeds specified limits; and13
WHEREAS, formaldehyde has also been identified as a chemical of high concern14
by the states of Maine, Washington, Minnesota, and California; and15
WHEREAS, the personal care product market is concerned about the possible16
hazardous affects of formaldehyde; and 17
WHEREAS, several companies have already taken the proactive step of removing18
formaldehyde-releasing chemicals from their entire product line; and19
WHEREAS, there are safer preservatives already on the market, including potassium20
sorbate and sodium benzoate, and consumer concern and legislative activity are moving the21
market toward these options.22
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby23
urge and request the Department of Health and Hospitals, office of public health, to study24
and assimilate a report concerning the health effects of formaldehyde in children's personal25
care products at levels currently allowed by law with policy recommendations for improved26
practices prior to the convening of the 2015 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the28
secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.29 HLS 14RS-407 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 145
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Badon HCR No. 145
Requests a study and policy recommendations concerning the health effects of formaldehyde
in children's personal care products at levels currently allowed by law.