Senator Fuschillo Announces New Law to Prohibit Sale of Child Products Containing Dangerous Chemicals

           Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation he supports that will prohibit the sale of child care products containing the flame retardant chemical TRIS, which has been known as a potential carcinogen and has been banned for decades from children’s clothing.  

          “TRIS was banned from children’s clothing over thirty years ago because it could potentially give children cancer; it shouldn’t be used in other child products. Keeping TRIS out of child products will help protect children from being exposed to this potential carcinogen,” said Senator Fuschillo, who voted in favor of the legislation in the Senate.

          The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned TRIS from being used in children’s clothing in 1977. The ban came after a study which showed that TRIS, a potential carcinogen, could be absorbed by children through the skin or mouth. However, the low cost of TRIS has made it widely used in other child products not covered by the ban such as strollers and nursing pillows.

          The new law (S4085A) bans the sale of all child products intended for use by children under age three, such as toys, car seats, crib mattresses and strollers, which contains the TRIS chemical. The law applies to any products sold after December 1, 2013.

          Violators of the law will be charged $1,000 per day for a first violation and up to $2,500 for a second violation.

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