Lawmakers again taking aim at flame-retardant chemicals, despite veto

BOSTON — Massachusetts lawmakers are once again going after banning flame retardants in household goods, despite Governor Charlie Baker vetoing a similar bill in January.

In a crowded room on Beacon Hill Tuesday, lawmakers and firefighters laid out their concerns.

Representative Marjorie Decker (D-Middlesex County) sponsored a similar bill to the one that passed both the house and the senate with bi-partisan support. It would ban certain flame retardant chemicals deemed dangerous to firefighters in household products.

It's these chemicals that are being blamed for the rise in occupational cancer among firefighters.

"It's killing them," Rep. Decker said in the hearing. "Literally they are killing firefighters and they are causing incredible public health harms to children and pregnant women. So the real question is, why wouldn't Governer Baker stand with the rest of us."

She's referring to the governor's veto on the bill in January.

Governor Baker then said he wasn't able to amend the initial proposal because lawmakers weren't in session. And while Decker says little has changed with her new bill, she expects it pass.

"So I expect the same thing to happen, because legislators continue to stand on the side of science, our famlies, our children and our firefighters," she said.

When Boston 25 News asked the governor's office about it, they would only say, "we will carefully review any legislation reaching the governor's desk."

Firefighters from the statewide union are also pushing for changes in state law, telling Boston 25 News it's one of their highest priorities right now.

"It's extremely important. We've taken on occupational cancer. It's the number one killer of firefighters right now, so we've taken it on not only in this state but all across the country," Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts President Rich McKinnon said.

The bill has a long way to go. It has to be discussed and then approved by both the house and senate before ever possibly reaching the governor's desk.

MORE: Boston's Bravest: Facing a Hidden Killer

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