Maine became the first state to publish a List of Chemicals of High Concern (CHC), the first step toward implementing the state's new Toxic Chemicals in Children's Products law, says the state DEP.

The CHC list was compiled from existing government lists that identified chemicals known to pose specific health threats, including those that cause cancer. Some commonly recognized chemicals on the list are lead, mercury, formaldehyde, and biphenol A.

"Far too often we are forced to confront the risks and benefits of chemicals in products only after we discover they are present in children's bodies at levels of possible concern," said Dr. Dora Anne Mills, state health officer and director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "We need to be assured that children's products are safe from toxic chemicals when they are put on the market."

In the past, Maine and other states have targeted specific chemicals or products. The CHC listing takes a more holistic approach-it sets up a process to prioritize, access chemical information, and replace some of the harmful chemicals in children's products. The law gives the state the authority to phase out the use of dangerous chemicals in children's products when safer alternatives are effective and available at a comparable cost.

Next year, DEP and CDC will begin to look more closely at these chemicals, the extent of their use, the level of exposure to children, and documented presence in the human body or environment. The law requires DEP to move at least two "priority chemicals" forward for further scrutiny and possible regulatory action.

Maine's List of Chemicals of High Concern is at http://www.maine.gov/dep/oc/safechem.