Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2819 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect the public health by banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of a chemical flame retardant, known as decabromodiphenylether.

Specifically, the bill would prohibit the manufacture, sale, and distribution of televisions, computers, upholstered indoor furniture, mattresses, and mattress pads containing commercial decabromodiphenylether. It also authorizes the Department of Health to grant certain product exemptions if the Department finds that a safer, technically feasible alternative to commercial decabromodiphenylether is not available. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Health to submit its findings and recommendations to the 2007 Regular Session of the Legislature on the availability of safer alternatives for the products prohibited from sale by this bill, including any additional evidence of potential harm posed by commercial decabromdiphenylether.

The Department of Health supported the bill, with amendments. The Bromine Science and Environmental Forum testified in opposition.

Your Committee finds that decabromodiphenylether is a chemical flame retardant that is harmful to our environment and can cause serious health problems, especially for fetuses and young children. Recognizing the dangers posed by the accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the environment, the Legislature, in 2004, prohibited the manufacture, processing, and distribution of two of these chemicals because of their potential to cause public health problems. As the only remaining polybrominated diphenyl ether that continues to be used as a flame retardant in products sold to consumers, your Committee finds that banning decabromodiphenylether would benefit public health and protect our environment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2819 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.