In Brief: Mass. toxicity warning bill

Mass. toxicity warning bill: H 3188 is tabled following a March 30 hearing in the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee with no further hearings scheduled to date. The measure would require the state department of public health to publish, by Sept. 1, 1996, a warning list of substances in consumer products known "to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity." The bill also would mandate that the state department of environmental protection identify health risks associated with each substance on the list by March 1, 1996. The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance association testified against H 3188 at the March 30 hearing, arguing that the bill would "undermine our current system for ensuring the safety of foods, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices" and would cause consumer confusion. H 3188 was introduced into the committee by Rep. Douglas Peterson (D-Marblehead) on Jan. 5...