AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Environmental officials in Maine and a dozen other states say federal laws to protect the public from toxic chemicals are too weak and states instead are leading the way.

A joint statement released Wednesday asks for changes in national environmental laws so they will protect vulnerable populations by identifying and regulating the most troubling chemicals in consumer items and elsewhere.

Maine Environmental Commissioner David Littell says the effects of exposure to toxic chemicals are enormous and often avoidable.

The states say they are the leading innovators in regulating toxics. Maine and Washington, for example, have policies to promote safer chemicals in children’s products and prioritize hazardous chemicals.

The other states signing the statement include California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Vermont.