Earlier this year 25 Mainers had their bodies tested for the presence of seven different phthalates (pronounced THAL-ates), a group of hormone-disrupting chemicals that are widely used in consumer products. The results, published in “Hormones Disrupted: Toxic Phthalates in Maine People,” were shocking to many of the participants and ignited a citizen-initiated petition effort to find out more about which everyday products contain the dangerous chemicals.

On Wednesday morning over two dozen parents, doctors, and public health advocates will gather at the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in Augusta to deliver more than ten times the number of petitions needed and urge the DEP to act immediately on the proposal that would require manufacturers to report their use of four phthalates in products sold in Maine.

The petition comes on the heels of a controversial announcement by the DEP that they will begin dedicating resources to the collection of information on the use of arsenic, cadmium, and mercury in children’s products, even though the data being sought is readily available on the website of the state of Washington, which has an identical rule in place.

In a statement issued last week, Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine partners responded, “We are disappointed that the Department chose symbolism over substance. The rules are redundant. Children’s products are not a major source of these dangerous chemicals, (and) the rules fail to protect pregnant women.”

Megan Rice, a mother of two from Belgrade who collected signatures for the citizen-led effort on phthalates states, “No child should be exposed to chemicals that cause learning disabilities, reproductive problems, asthma, or diabetes. It’s time for the DEP to stop squandering resources on do-nothing rules and start focusing on real threats — like phthalates. Parents have a right to know which products contain phthalates and Maine kids shouldn’t have to wait one more day for safer products.”

Beside Rice and others, also expected to participate are Dr. Steve Feder, pediatrician from Boothbay Harbor and President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Jessica Graham, mother of two from Waterville, and Katie Mae Simpson, mother of two from Portland