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Ch. 522 2005 LAWS OF MARYLAND
a product that contains brominated flame retardants unless certain persons
have submitted a certain notice to the Maryland Department of the
Environment; requiring certain information to be included in the required
notice; establishing certain exemptions from certain notice requirements;
requiring, on or after a certain date, certain products containing a brominated
flame retardant to be labeled in a certain manner; prohibiting, on or after a
certain dates date, the manufacture, processing, selling, or distributing of
certain products that contain a certain amount of certain brominated flame
retardants; exempting certain products that contain a certain amount of certain
brominated flame retardants under certain circumstances from the prohibition
providing that the prohibition does not apply to certain processing of certain
recyclables or certain manufacturer replacement service parts or other products;
requiring the Department, on or before a certain date, to adopt certain
regulations that establish a fee on certain products that contain brominated
flame retardants; authorizing the Department to adopt certain regulations;
authorizing the Department to enforce certain prohibitions; establishing certain
penalties; defining certain terms; requiring a certain report on or before a
certain date; and generally relating to the use of brominated flame retardants.
BY adding to
Article - Environment
Section 6-1201 through 6-1205, inclusive, to be under the new subtitle "Subtitle
12. Brominated Flame Retardants"
Annotated Code of Maryland
(1996 Replacement Volume and 2004 Supplement)
Preamble
WHEREAS, Chemicals To meet stringent fire safety standards, manufacturers
add chemicals known as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are widely used in the
State. To meet stringent fire standards, manufacturers add BFRs to a multitude of
products, including the plastic housing of electronics and computers, circuit boards,
and the foam and textiles used in furniture; and
WHEREAS, Polybrominated diphenyl other (PBDE), which is a subcatogory of
BFRs, has increased fortyfold in human breast milk since the 1970s; and
WHEREAS, PBDE has the potential to disrupt thyroid hormone balance and
contribute to a variety of developmental deficits, including low intelligence and
learning disabilities. PBDE may also have the potential to cause cancer; and
WHEREAS, Substantial efforts to eliminate BFRs from products have been
made throughout the world, including both the private and public sectors. These
efforts have made numerous alternatives available that are safe to human health
while meeting stringent fire standards. To meet market demand, it is in the interest
of Maryland manufacturers to eliminate the use of BFRs; and
WHEREAS, In order to protect the public health and environment, the General
Assembly believes it is necessary for the State to develop a precautionary approach
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