H.R.1442 - An Act To ban the sale of products with a high concentration of sodium nitrite to individuals, and for other purposes. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1442, also known as the "Youth Poisoning Protection Act," aims to ban the sale of consumer products containing a high concentration (10% or more by weight) of sodium nitrite to individuals. The bill amends the Consumer Product Safety Act to classify such products as banned hazardous products.
Exemptions are provided for commercial or industrial uses not intended for consumer sale, as well as for products regulated as drugs, devices, cosmetics, or food under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and related agricultural products.
The Act is set to take effect 90 days after its enactment.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be to restrict consumer access to products with high concentrations of sodium nitrite. This is intended to reduce the risk of intentional or accidental poisoning, particularly among young people.
The bill will likely require manufacturers and retailers to reformulate or remove products containing high concentrations of sodium nitrite from the consumer market. It will also increase the regulatory oversight of products containing sodium nitrite.
Potential Benefits
- Reduced risk of intentional and accidental poisonings, especially among youth.
- Increased consumer safety by limiting access to a potentially harmful substance.
- Potential for manufacturers to develop safer alternative products.
- Aligns with the government's responsibility to protect public health.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential limitations on the availability of certain products for legitimate uses.
- Possible increased costs for manufacturers to reformulate products.
- Potential inconvenience for consumers who use products containing sodium nitrite for legitimate purposes (though exemptions exist).
- Limited impact on suicide rates if alternative methods are easily accessible.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution's broad mandate to "promote the general Welfare" (Preamble). Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce (Article I, Section 8), which includes the power to regulate the sale of hazardous products. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights.
The exemptions provided for certain commercial, industrial, and regulated products suggest an effort to avoid undue interference with legitimate economic activities. The focus on consumer protection, particularly for vulnerable populations, is a common justification for government regulation under the Commerce Clause.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).