Maine Is Leading The Nation In Promoting Safer Alternatives to Hazardous Chemicals
2003
- LD 1309 - An Act to Protect Public Health by Reducing Human Exposure to Arsenic (Chapter 457)
Bans the sale of arsenic-treated wood; establishes home buyer right-to-know about arsenic hazards
- LD 1159 - An Act to Reduce Mercury Use in Measuring Devices and Switches (Chapter 221)
Requires safer alternatives to most uses of mercury in consumer products sold in Maine
- LD 697 - An Act to Require the Installation of Dental Amalgam Separator Systems in Dental Offices (Chapter 301)
Requires dentists to capture and recycle mercury waste from work on dental fillings
- LD 1549 - An Act to Fund Municipal Collection of Household Hazardous Waste (Chapter 30)
Transferred $438,000 from Finance Authority of Maine for household hazardous waste collection
2004
- LD 1790 - An Act to Reduce the Contamination of Breast Milk and the Environment from the Release of Brominated Chemicals in Consumer Products (Chapter 629)
Requires safer alternatives to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) used in computers, TVs and furniture
- LD 1892 - An Act to Protect Public Health and the Environment by Providing a Shared System of Responsibility for the Safe Collection and Recycling of Electronic Waste (Chapter 661)
Establishes manufacturers responsibility to fund recycling of computers and TVs
- LD 1901 - An Act to Protect Public Health and the Environment by Improving the System for the Collection and Recovery of Mercury-added Thermostats (Chapter 640)
Expands mercury thermostat recycling by establishing more collection centers
2005
- LD 1034 - An Act to Prevent Lead Poisoning of Children and Adults (Chapter 403)
Raises $2.5 million from paint manufacturers for lead poisoning prevention programs over 5 years
- LD 185 - An Act to Amend the Law on Mercury-added Products (Chapter 148)
Increases bounty payment by auto manufacturers to expand recycling of mercury auto switches
- LD 1157 - Resolve, Directing the Department of Education and the Department of Environmental ProtectionTo Implement Procedures To Remove Hazardous Materials from Maine Schools (Chapter 93)
Speeds the removal of dangerous and obsolete chemicals from Maine secondary schools
2006
- LD 1058 - An Act to Regulate the Use of Batteries Containing Mercury
Bans the sale of mercury-added “button cell” batteries and products containing such batteries
- LD 1792 - An Act To Protect Maine Families and the Environment by Improving the Collection and Recycling of Mercury Thermostats
Requires manufacturers of mercury-containing thermostats to provide a $5.00 incentive for each one recycled