Introduced by Representative Hingtgen of Burlington

BILL AS INTRODUCEDH.167

2001Page 1

H.167

Introduced by Representative Hingtgen of Burlington

Referred to Committee on

Date:

Subject:Conservation; air pollution control; children pumping gas

Statement of purpose: This bill proposes to provide that a child who is under the age of 16 shall not be allowed to pump gasoline. The bill includes proposed legislative findings with respect to the health effects of benzene, and it proposes to require that gas pumps have signs that inform the public of the prohibition on children pumping gas.

AN ACT RELATING TO PROHIBITING CHILDREN WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 16 FROM PUMPING GASOLINE

It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:

Sec. 1. 10 V.S.A. § 577 is added to read:

§ 577. RESTRICTIONS ON CHILDREN PUMPING GAS

(a) Findings. The general assembly finds:

(1) Used as a substitute for lead, benzene now makes up one to two percent of every gallon of gasoline.

(2) Although vapor recovery systems have reduced the levels of benzene

around gasoline stations, the air around fuel pumps continues to have

higher than average levels of benzene.

(3) When benzene is inhaled, it is stored in the body’s bone marrow and fat.

(4) Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene can cause dizziness,

nausea, headaches and unconsciousness.

(5) While many chemicals are suspected to be cancer-causing, benzene is one of the few substances that have been identified by the U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency as a “known human carcinogen.”

(6) Long-term exposure to benzene fumes can cause nerve damage.

(7) Excessive exposure to benzene can harm the immune system.

(8) Benzene poses a potentially greater hazard to young children and

pregnant women.

(b) Prohibition. A child who is less than 16 years of age shall not be allowed to operate a gas pump at any location where gasoline is sold at retail to the public. By no later than January 15, 2002, each location where gasoline is sold at retail to the public shall have signs at each pump notifying the public of this prohibition.