RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, consumer product manufacturers commonly add flame-retardant chemicals to plastics and other flammable materials to reduce the risk of fire; and

WHEREAS, one of the most common flame-retardant chemicals is decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPE); and

WHEREAS, DBDPE is a chemical that reduces the spread of fire in a variety of common products such as televisions, electronic casings, wiring and cable insulation, and commercial upholstery textiles; and

WHEREAS, production and use of two other polybrominated diphenyl ethers known as octabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether have ceased in the United States (U.S.); and

WHEREAS, although industry scientists assert that DBDPE are unlikely to be efficiently absorbed by living organisms, there is some evidence of DBDPE being found in the tissue of living organisms in the U.S. and Europe; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is examining the presence of polybromintated diphenyl ethers in humans and the environment; and

WHEREAS, the European Union recently exempted DBDPE from further regulation of its use in electronics and electronic equipment and has begun a 10-year monitoring study to develop further information about DBDPE in the environment, some early results of which may be available within two years; and

WHEREAS, alternative flame retardants to DBDPE are available but have not been extensively tested with regard to their potential human and environmental impacts, compatibility with the products in which DBDPE is commonly used, or compliance with the strictest of fire safety standards; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Health (DOH) is hereby requested to review the available scientific research on DBDPE and assess the availability of safer, effective, and technically feasible flame retardants that can be used in place of DBDPE; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DOH is requested to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any proposed legislation, at least 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of DOH.

Report Title:

Requesting the Department of Health to review the available scientific research on decabromodiphenyl ether and assess the availability of safer, effective, and technically feasible flame retardants that can be used in it's place.