Enacts the "no toxics tent act"

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

• Democratic6

Shown in neutral colors by design; Agora is non-partisan.

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

The dangers of flame retardants to human health have long been docu- mented by scientists and policymakers. In New York, Chapter 829 of the Laws of 2021 banned flame retardants in mattresses and upholstered furniture in light of their toxic qualities associated with hormonal disruption, cancer, and brain development. The International Association of Fire Fighters has consistently called for the removal of flame retardants from children's products, uphol- stered furniture, and in both camping and play tents. Despite this, New York is the only remaining state that continues to require these toxic chemicals in common camping and children's play tents. Minnesota repealed its requirement in 2024, while Michigan and California repealed their requirements in 2023. Massachusetts removed its requirement in 2015. Requirements in two other states are self-updating to current consensus standards. Scientists have confirmed that the presence of toxic flame retardants, including organophosphorus compounds, is common in recreational camping and backpacking tents (Keller et al., 2014). Manufacturers confirm that these flame retardants are added for purposes of complying with existing New York state law. A 2016 Duke University study showed that campers are easily exposed to toxic flame retardants when setting up their tent, as well as via inhalation when inside the tent (Gomes et al., 2016). Flame retardant chemicals also put vulnerable wildlife at risk. The inclusion of toxic flame retardants in tents poses many dangers while delivering minimal benefit. When flame retardant requirements were first introduced in the 1960s and 70s (New York instituted theirs in 1969), tents were mostly made of cotton canvas and were very flammable. As a result of the synthetic materials used in modern tents, tent fires are now exceedingly rare. Out of the over 3,200 emergency department- treated tent-related injuries recorded by the CPSC between 2010 and 2015, only 8 were related to tent fires. Testing conducted by the CPSC has demonstrated that synthetic textiles have lower flammability charac- teristics than the cotton materials in use when this requirement was first promulgated. By eliminating the applicability of existing performance requirements to tents that hold fewer than 15 people, New York would be joining 49 other states to better protect campers and children from unnecessary exposure to toxic chemicals.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.