Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 84 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request 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 its place.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, and the Bromine Science and Environmental Forum.

Your Committee finds that the chemical flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE) poses a health risk to consumers and that several states have enacted legislation restricting its use. Research needs to be conducted into safer alternative flame retardants.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 84, and recommends its adoption.