As parents, grandparents, workers and consumers, we have a right to know if we are exposed to chemicals that could make us and our families sick.

Recently, I was one of 25 people who were tested for phthalates (pronounced thal-eights). Phthalates are in all of us, including a Maine mother of two young boys who had more phthalates in her body than 90 percent of Americans.

Exposure to phthalates can cause birth defects in baby boys, learning disabilities, asthma, and infertility and reproductive harm, which can also lead to testicular and prostate cancer later in life.

Phthalates are found in soft vinyl plastics in hundreds of everyday products and building materials, including lunch boxes, kids’ backpacks, school supplies, raincoats and boots, shower curtains, tablecloths, floor tiles and wall coverings.

They are also the “fragrance” found in many cosmetics and lotions.

Two weeks ago, I joined 2,071 parents, grandparents, physicians and public health advocates to sign petitions that were delivered to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection — more than 10 times the number needed to compel the DEP to consider new rules for phthalates.

That citizen-initiated proposed rule would require, under Maine’s Kid-Safe Products Act, that manufacturers disclose which products sold in Maine contain four specific phthalates that become priority chemicals under the law.

DEP Commissioner Patricia Aho must ensure that the rule is considered and adopted this summer.

People have a basic human right to live and work in a clean and healthy environment. Laws and rules must protect and ensure those rights.

Don Berry, Sumner

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