SACRAMENTO – A landmark bill that would phase out the use of toxic materials used the manufacture of cell phones and other electronic device sold in California has passed from the Assembly’s Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials.

Assembly Bill 2202 would build on current state law, which prohibits the use of certain toxic materials in computer monitors and televisions sold in the state. The legislation would expand the definition of the term “electronic device” to include cell phones, IPODs and other electronic devices. It would also require the phase out of lead, hexavalent chromium, mercury and other dangerous toxins in the manufacture of these devices sold in the state by January of 2008.

The bill’s author, Assembly Member Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego), said she sees the legislation as necessary to protect the residents from these toxins, which can accumulate in landfills and seep into soil and groundwater.

“I’m pleased that the committee understands the necessity – and the urgency – of this legislation,” Saldaña said. “The European Union will begin implementing similar regulations for electronic devices sold in their markets in July; and we now know that China will be implementing restrictions of it’s own by March, 2007.”

“I fear we may become a dumping ground for toxic electronic devices if markets in Asia and Europe are closed to them. The California Legislature has an obligation to communicate to manufacturers that we are not going to continue to be recipients of these toxic products.”

Earlier this year the California Department of Toxic Substances Control reported that most electronic devices demonstrate characteristics of toxicity. The combination of lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium currently used in the manufacture of these electronic consumer goods can cause serious damage to the nervous system, the kidneys and reproductive system, as well as promote birth defects, developmental disabilities and some kinds of cancer.

Saldaña said that the legislation reflects Californians’ concern about environmental contamination by toxins. According to a recent random survey of over two-thousand California residents by the non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California, 84 percent of those surveyed said they considered toxic substances leaking into the soil and groundwater a problem in California. Over half said they considered it a “big problem”.

The bill now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.