AUGUSTA, Maine - A Maine legislator wants to require the state to include products that threaten the health of pregnant women when it sets rules about potentially toxic products.
Rep. Sara Gideon, a Freeport Democrat, says her bill would tighten state laws about such products. She and a group of environmental and health advocates say the bill is needed because of the way the state handled a proposal to elevate four phthalates from "high concern'' to "priority chemical'' status under Maine rules.
Manufacturers would need to report use of the chemicals in products sold in Maine. But opponents say the state's plan is too weak and leaves pregnant women under-informed about which products like cosmetics and shampoo contain phthalates.
Gideon planned to introduce her bill Wednesday afternoon in Augusta.