Assemblywoman Lori Saldana has introduced legislation that would require manufacturers to phase out heavy metals and other hazardous substances from electronics sold in the state. State law already requires the phase-out of toxic material from video display devices, such as televisions and computer monitors, but Saldana´s proposal would expand that to include all electronics.

The measure is similar to the European Union´s Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive, which requires electronics manufacturers to reduce the levels of lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl and polybrominated diphenyl flame retardants in their products by July 1.

"It doesn´t make sense to eliminate these materials from only a portion of the products sold in California," Saldana said. "We should be the nation´s leader in eliminating the use of these toxins before any electronics hit the state´s markets or landfills."