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Maryland

Maryland is a national leader on toxic chemical reform thanks to the efforts of Maryland environmental and public health advocates and state leaders. Maryland has passed bans on the toxic chemicals cadmium and lead in children’s products; bisphenol-A in baby bottles and infant formula containers; and was the first state in the country to restrict the toxic flame retardant deca-BDE in household products. In 2020, Maryland set an important precedent for action on the east coast by banning the use of all toxic flame retardant chemicals in upholstered furniture, children’s products, and mattress foam.

There’s a lot more work to be done to protect Maryland families from the dangers of toxic chemicals, and with a robust public health community, Maryland has a great place to start. With chronic diseases rising, and Baltimore asthma rates above the national average, we must do everything we can to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals linked to cancer and chronic disease.

maryland

Maryland Partners

State Progress

Bill Tracker for Maryland

Current Policy

Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS
H.B.0499: Requires the owner or operator of a publicly owned treatment works to monitor and report the levels of certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in effluent, influent, and biosolids.
Mercury
H.B.1021: Prohibits the sale of fluorescent lamps that contain mercury.
PFAS
S.B.0225: Requires the owner or operator of a publicly owned treatment works to monitor and report the levels of certain perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in effluent, influent, and biosolids.
PFAS
H.B.0031: Establishes labeling, marketing, and advertising requirements for recycling products and packaging. Products and packaging that contain PFAS chemicals can’t be labeled as recyclable.
PFAS
S.B.0158: Beginning January 1, 2024, prohibits the state registration of pesticides for use against mosquitoes unless the distributor of the pesticide submits test results indicating the pesticide has passed the PFAS test.
Toxic Chemicals General,
Plastics
H.B.1089: Establishes the Maryland Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program to increase the reuse and recycling of beverage containers and reduce the litter, pollution, and costs associated with beverage containers.

Adopted Policy

BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic
HB 33 / SB 213: Bans BPA in child care articles, requires replacement with the least toxic alternative. (Adopted in 2010)
BPA, Phthalates, and Chemicals Used in Plastic ,
Food Packaging
SB 151: Bans BPA in infant formula cans. (Adopted in 2011)
Cadmium ,
Heavy Metals
HB 145: Bans cadmium in children’s jewelry. (Adopted in 2011)
Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS ,
Food Packaging
HB 0275 : Restricts the use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging, rugs and carpets, and replaces PFAS-laden firefighting foam with safer alternatives. Requires notification for firefighter turnout gear that contains PFAS and stops the landfilling and incineration of PFAS foam. (Adopted in 2022)
Chemical Prioritization / Disclosure / Phase-out ,
PFAS ,
Food Packaging
SB 0273: Restricts the use of PFAS chemicals in food packaging, rugs and carpets, and replaces PFAS-laden firefighting foam with safer alternatives. Requires notification for firefighter turnout gear that contains PFAS and stops the landfilling and incineration of PFAS foam. (Adopted in 2022)
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
HB 1019: Requires the board of education to enact a policy on green cleaning supplies. (Adopted in 2012)
Mercury ,
PFAS ,
Chemicals used in Cleaning, Cosmetics and Construction
HB 0643: Prohibits PFAS, mercury, and other chemicals in cosmetics.  (Adopted in 2021)
Lead ,
Heavy Metals
HB 62: Bans lead-containing children’s products. (Adopted in 2008)
Lead ,
Heavy Metals
HB 119: Requires manufacturers test children’s products for lead. (Adopted in 2009)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
HB 1263: Requires vehicle manufacturers to develop a mercury minimization plan for removing, collecting, and recovering mercury switches from an end-of-life vehicle. (Adopted in 2009)
Mercury ,
Heavy Metals
HB 685: Requires a county recycling plan to address the collection and recycling of fluorescent and compact fluorescent lights that contain mercury (Adopted in 2010)
Mercury ,
Toxic Chemicals General,
Heavy Metals
S.B.0483: Requires the Department of Environment to adopt regulations for water quality testing for manganese, arsenic, radon, mercury, and all volatile organic compounds for which there is a maximum contaminant level. (Adopted in 2023)
Mercury ,
Toxic Chemicals General,
Heavy Metals
H.B.0011: Requires the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations for water quality testing for manganese, arsenic, radon, mercury, and all volatile organic compounds for which there is a maximum contaminant level. (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
H.B.0319: Requires the Department of Agriculture to study the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in pesticides and requires the Department to report its findings and recommendations on or before November 1, 2023. (Adopted in 2023)
PFAS
H.B.0848: Establishes the Innovative Potable Reuse Pilot Program in the Department of the Environment for the purpose of authorizing the regulated use of reclaimed water as a source for certain drinking water facilities. The reclaimed water must meet the maximum concentrations of PFAS chemicals established by the department. (Adopted in 2023)
Toxic Chemicals General
HB 216: Bans personal care products and over-the-counter drugs containing synthetic plastic microbeads. (Adopted in 2015)
Toxic Flame Retardants
HB 229: Bans kids’ products containing the toxic flame retardant Tris (TDCPP) (Adopted in 2014)
Toxic Flame Retardants
HB 99: Bans Tris (TCEP) from children’s products. (Adopted in 2013)
Toxic Flame Retardants
SB 0447: Prohibits sale of any juvenile product, mattress, upholstered furniture, or reupholstered furniture that contains more than 0.1% of a flame-retardant chemical by mass (Adopted in 2020)
Toxic Flame Retardants
SB 556: Bans mattresses, residential upholstered furniture, and electronic equipment containing decaBDE by 2010. (Adopted in 2010)
Toxic Flame Retardants
HB 83: Bans products containing the flame retardants penta- and octa-brominated diphenyl ether. Requires the Department of the Environment to report decaBDE in products, and make recommendations regarding the use, sale, and disposal of products containing it. (Adopted in 2005)

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