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SPRINGFIELD -- A flame retardant some believe can cause developmental problems in children would be phased out of carpets and electronic equipment under a legislative proposal opposed by manufacturers.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-Northbrook), would prevent Illinois retailers from selling many common household goods that contain DecaBDE -- the country's most widely used flame retardant -- by 2011.

But industry and manufacturing groups oppose Nekritz's proposal because it would require them to change the way they make products and force them to substitute other, perhaps weaker, flame retardants. Illinois would be the first state to ban the chemical.

Although some scientists differ on what risk the chemical poses, several studies indicate that DecaBDE can break down into other chemicals that delay development and decrease motor skills. The chemical is often found in plastic casing on electronic equipment, such as television sets and computer monitors.

"When I looked into it, I realized there really was a lot of concern about this chemical," Nekritz said. "The more I found out, the more I felt like it was something we needed to do in Illinois."

Children are most at risk, said Max Muller, an environmental advocate with Environment Illinois, which supports the proposal.

"You know that when you have a society full of people and they're exposed to this, you're going to see some problems," Muller said. "We've looked at all the alternatives that are commonly used for this, and those are just inherently less risky."

An Illinois Environmental Protection Agency report released last week concluded that "there is reason for concern regardhe continued use of DecaBDE" and that its use should be phased out, even though industry groups contend that their products are safe.

If the ban becomes law, companies and manufacturers may opt not to use flame retardants in their products, said Mark Biel, executive director of the Chemical Industry Council of Illinois.

"You just can't drop in another flame retardant," Biel said. "It may be easier for them not to put a flame retardant in."

Complying with the potential ban would be "extremely arduous" for manufacturers, because they would need to tailor their products specifically for Illinois, to comply with the law, said Mark Denzler, vice president of government affairs for the Illinois Manufacturers Association.

"There's no doubt the ban would create increased costs," Denzler said. "And you could end up bringing in, then, another [flame retardant] that may not be as safe as Deca."

Two years ago, Nekritz tried to have DecaBDE banned but was unsuccessful.

Nekritz said she revived her plans in light of additional scientific research and as other states, such as Maine and Washington, began exploring similar bans.

Her proposal, which narrowly passed out of a House committee last week, will need the approval of the full House, the Senate and Gov. Blagojevich before it becomes law.

wwoodward@suntimes.com