Consumer Health & Safety

​​Flam​e Retardant Chemicals

Maryland state statue prohibits the import or sale of child and juvenile products containing certain flame-retardant chemicals. See Health-General §24-306§24-306.1, and COMAR 10.19.07. To submit a complaint related to a possible violation of this law, please email mdh.envhealth@maryland.gov.


Sew​​a​ge Overflow

MDE maintains the Maryland Reported Sewer Overflow Database, which includes all public sewer overflow events reported to MDE as required by Environment Article §9–331.1.


Bisphenol-A (B​PA)

Maryland state statute prohibits the manufacture, sale, or distribution of a child care article containing bisphenol-A (BPA)). See Health-General §24-304​ and COMAR 10.19.01 for more information.


Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PF​​AS)

PFAS – short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – refers to a large group of more than 4,000 human-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in a range of products, including stain- and water-resistant fabrics and carpeting, cleaning products, paints, cookware, food packaging and fire-fighting foams. ​​Most people have been exposed to PFAS because of their use in so many common consumer goods. There is evidence that exposure to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health effects in humans.

Click here​ to learn more about what the Maryland Department of the Environment is doing about PFAS.


Products Containing Volatile ​Organic Compounds (VOCs)

​​Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from many household products, including paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, glues and adhesives, and permanent markers.​​ Learn more from the EPA about how VOCs can negatively affect indoor air quality.


Pesticides

Pesicides in Maryland are regulated by the Maryland Department of Agriculture .Health care providers are required to report pesticide illnesses and exposures to the Department of Health. ​​


​Indoor T​anning

​An owner, employee, or operator of a tanning facility may not allow a minor under the age of 18 years to use a tanning device. For more information, see Health-General §20–106 and COMAR 10.52.06.


Tattooing and Body Piercing

​Maryland Department of Health does not license tattoo and body piercing businesses. There are, however, disease control and signage regulations applicable to skin-penetrating body adornment procedures in the Code of Maryland Regulations 10.06.01.06, which you can view at:

 http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/comarhtml/10/10.06.01.06.htm

There are also rules on the disposal of sharp waste objects under regulations of both the Department of Health and the Department of the Environment. 

Some local jurisdictions regulate tattoo and body piercing under local ordinance (this list may not be complete or up to date, so check with the local health department to be sure):