AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - The Baldacci administration Thursday joined others in support of legislation to more closely regulate toxic chemicals used in toys and other children's products, saying the federal government has fallen short on the job.

Commissioner David Littell of the Department of Environmental Protection said there's been 'inadequate regulation at the federal level. We've determined that taking action at the state level is necessary to protect our citizens.'

Littell testified before the Legislature's Natural Resources Committee on a pair of bills that set forth a process to identify potentially dangerous chemicals so they can no longer be used in children's products in Maine. Supporters left the door open to merging the two bills.

A toy industry official and two Maine business groups opposed the legislation.

Supporters said young children are especially vulnerable to toxic chemicals, so it's important to remove them from objects with which they come into close contact.

Supporters also noted that three-quarters of brain development occurs in the first three years of life, and pointed to research linking even low-level chemical exposure to learning disabilities, reproductive harm, hormone problems and cancer.

One of the bills would require companies that make children's products to identify potentially dangerous chemicals used in those items. It would require replacement of a priority chemical with a safer alternative if one is available.

n addition, it authorizes the DEP to participate in an interstate clearinghouse to share information on chemicals in youth products.

The second bill authorizes the state Board of Environmental Protection to ban the sale of a product that contains chemicals deemed dangerous.

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