AUGUSTA – Bills to phase out toxic materials used in fire retardants and increase the number of sites where Mainers can recycle mercury thermostats gained momentum as Environmental Health Day was marked Wednesday in the State House.

Both bills have won unanimous support of the Natural Resources Committee. Gov. John Baldacci on Wednesday encouraged legislative passage of those and a third bill, still in committee, that encourages recycling of used televisions and computer monitors.

The governor sought to link environmental protection with public health issues as he lent his support to the three bills given high priority by environmental advocates.

On Monday, the Natural Resources Committee voted 12-0 to support the bill addressing toxics in fire retardants found in upholstery, carpets, mattresses, plastics and electronics. The legislation seeks to replace toxic bromides with safer alternatives.

Laboratory tests link some chemicals in flame retardants to neurological damage and permanent memory loss.

Tests detected higher concentrations of decabrominated diphenyl ether, or Deca, in women’s breast milk in America than anywhere else.

The bill now headed for floor votes would bar the sale of brominated flame retardants known as Penta and Octa by January 2006, and require the state Department of Environmental Protection to find safer alternatives to so-called Deca materials.

Deca, the most widely used retardant, would be banned in Maine as of Jan. 1, 2008, if safer alternatives are found.

The Natural Resources Committee also voted unanimously Monday to triple the number of sites where old mercury thermostats can be collected.

Maine already has laws requiring the collection and recycling of thermostats from junk automobiles, and to phase out the sale of mercury thermostats used in residential and commercial buildings by 2006.

The new bill would make it possible for virtually everyone in the state to find a convenient place to drop off old mercury thermostats, advocates said.

The bill also would bar wholesalers from selling mercury thermostats unless they participate in a manufacturer take-back program.

If spread in the environment, mercury can cause serious neurological, developmental and behavioral problems in people and wildlife.

A bill still being reviewed in committee seeks to create a recycling program for old television sets and computer monitors. This could be accomplished through manufacturer take-back programs, municipalities setting up collection stations and new fees on electronic components.

Each computer contains about five pounds of lead in addition to mercury and other toxic materials, environmentalists say.