Rep. Coulouris offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 139.

            A resolution to memorialize manufacturers of products marketed for children who are seven years old or younger to remove certain toxic substances from the products and replace these substances with the least toxic substances available.

            Whereas, Today manufacturers make products that are too numerous to count for the education, enjoyment, care of, and protection of children who are seven years old and younger. Young children handle these products differently than older children and adults as they spend more time touching, licking, and mouthing products. Mouthing and licking products increases a young child's exposure to the chemical substances in these products; and

            Whereas, Many of these products contain toxic chemicals and compounds that may be ingested by a child that regularly licks and mouths a product or puts his or her hand to mouth after handling a product. Plastic products often contain a class of compounds called phthalates that make the plastic more flexible. Phthalates are known to affect the reproductive development of laboratory animals and are suspected of causing similar effects in humans. Metallic elements and compounds of antimony, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury and nonmetallic elements and compounds of arsenic, barium, and selenium that are known to cause cancer, or damage the central nervous system, or injure other organ systems, such as the kidney or liver, have also been found in children's products; and

            Whereas, Manufacturers should take all the necessary steps to remove toxic substances from products handled by children who are seven years old or younger and find the least toxic alternatives to replace the removed substances. A least toxic alternative substance does not include one that is characterized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as known or likely to cause cancer, or having evidence that is suggestive of causing cancer, or is listed by the State of California as being known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize manufacturers of products marketed for children who are seven years old or younger to remove certain toxic substances from the products and replace these substances with the least toxic substances available; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, and the National Association of Manufacturers.