“This is an important step to clarify for the marketplace and for New York's consumers that what we want is safer chemicals, which lead to safer materials, and safer products," said David Levine, co-founder and Executive Director of the American Sustainable Business Council, which represents over 100,000 businesses in New York State and around the nation. "This then creates the opportunity for innovation from New York State businesses, to design new materials and products so our businesses can grow and gain market share globally, as we create greater benefit for our communities and the environment,”  Levine added.

"With today's action by the Senate and Assembly, parents in Harlem and Washington Heights can rest a little easier because chlorinated tris is no longer going to be in children's products in the discount stores they might shop at.  Assemblyman Sweeney and Senator Grisanti are to be commended for putting all of New York's children first," said Cecil Corbin-Mark, Deputy Director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice and co-coordinator of the JustGreen Partnership. 

"Passage of this legislation banning TCEP will help protect this generation, and all future generations of children from being exposed to harmful substances containing this deadly chemical," said Senate Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Mark Grisanti, the sponsor of the bill in the Senate.  "Protecting our children from dangerous chemicals is a no brainer and this common sense legislation is a step in this direction," Grisanti added. 

“Children are more sensitive to and are at increased risk from chemical exposure.  The passage of this legislation is an important step to protect children from unnecessary health risks caused by chemicals found in products designed for young children.  There are safer alternatives to TRIS that do not have the same health concerns,” said Assemblyman Sweeney, Chair, New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Environmental Conservation.  

TCEP a carcinogenic flame retardant on California’s Proposition 65 list of cancer-causing chemicals. Laboratory studies show TCEP causes tumors in the kidney and thyroid glands, causes reductions in fertility and poor sperm quality, and interferes with brain signaling, causing hyperactivity. 

"The dramatic rates of learning and neurological disabilities result in personal tragedies, significant health care costs – upwards of $5.4 billion nationally, based on one recent study – and increased burdens on the educational system, justice system and social safety net programs,” said Stephen Boese, Executive Director of the Learning Disabilities Association of New York State. "We can prevent some of these cases by simply being smarter about the chemicals we use.  Passage of the TRIS-free children and babies act is a good step in the right direction."

"We’re very pleased that the New York State Legislature has passed the Tris-free children and babies Act, recognizing the importance of banning this known human carcinogen in children’s products. The first question asked by every parent whose child is diagnosed with cancer is “Why?”. In the years ahead in NY State, we’ll be able to say the cause is NOT TCEP," said Christine Brouwer, Founder of Mira's Movement, a pediatric cancer support organization. "We hope we’ll be able to say that about many more toxins in our children’s environment in the near term. Thank you to Assemblyman Sweeney and Senator Grisanti for your work on this important issue on behalf of the children of New York."