http://www.care2.com/greenliving/banning-phthalates-in-toys.html
Banning Phthalates in Toys
By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Care2 Healthy and green Living
Finally, lawmakers in D.C. are taking action against phthalates. It’s about time. At Care2 we’ve been issuing a clarion call against these toxic chemical plasticizers that are commonly used in children’s toys and have been banned for use in children’s toys in Europe since 1999. More than a dozen other countries have banned the chemical, as has California.
According to the Washington Post, federally funded research found that male babies born to women with high levels of phthalates in their blood exhibited changes related to low sperm count, undescended testicles and other reproductive problems. Other studies have connected some phthalates to liver and kidney cancer. Health experts argue that dangers may be more significant from cumulative exposure, because phthalates surround babies not only in toys and products but also in breast milk if the mother has been exposed to the chemicals.
Although it isn’t law yet, the House and the Senate have agreed to ban three types of phthalates from children’s toys as well as three other phthalates. Since U.S. companies make $1.4 billion worth of phthalates a year, you can imagine there was some serious lobbying going on against a ban; Exxon Mobile is a major manufacturer of phthalates. Not all that surprising to find that President Bush opposes the ban, but it is unclear whether or not he will veto the measure. The legislation would also ban lead in children’s products. It is stunning that this isn’t law already.
If you’d like to help, please sign this Consumers Union letter at the Care2 Petition site.
Read the complete Washington Post article here.
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20 comments
add your comment »I have already signed the petition and I strongly feel this important issue with the safety of our children and grandchildren, must be dealt with by our agencies and government to keep toxic and harmful material out of our products.
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I want someone to check those toys in kids meals at the fast food places!! They have so much odor, I'm sure they are UNhealthy. I keep telling my daughter to keep her children away from those places anyway, but everytime there is a toy in a room with me, I get rid of it - but uh-oh, is it recycleable?
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Thank you for bringing this to our attention...
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I WOULD SAY, APPROXIMATLY, 3/4 OF US SEEM TO UNDERSTAND. FURTHER, I WOULD ALSO SAY, MOST OF GET THE REAL CULPRITS, HERE, IN THIS SITUATION. SO LET'S GO AFTER THE THREE/QUARTERS OF THOSE WHO GET IT AND MAYBE IT WILL CATCH ON TO THE OTHERS. VIOLET Y.
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IT IS AMAZING TO ME TO THINK THAT ONE WOULD
NOT HAVE NOTIFIED THEIR LEGISLATORS OF THEIR FEELING BEFORE PASSING THIS INFORMATION ALONG TO THE REST OF YOU. YOU SEE IT IS NOT ALL DOING NEGATIVE THINGS FIRST AND NOT NOTIFYING PROPER PEOPLE, BUT
ONE CAN HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT AS WELL!
VIOLET Y.
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IT IS AMAZING TO ME TO THINK THAT ONE WOULD
NOT HAVE NOTIFIED THEIR LEGISLATORS OF THEIR FEELING BEFORE PASSING THIS INFORMATION ALONG TO THE REST OF YOU. YOU SEE IT IS NOT ALL DOING NEGATIVE THINGS FIRST AND NOT NOTIFYING PROPER PEOPLE, BUT
ONE CAN HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT AS WELL!
VIOLET Y.
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A lot of bake to harden clays have these, when you back them puts them in the air, used them til a couple of friends sinus went crazy
4 days after being at my place while I baked them---threw the crap away.
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already signed petition. its past time to ban this killer plastic. Are they that greedy they will risk a child's life or health ~ what is their going rate for this. sorry i get angry when its so clear what to do but money money money rules...greed. maybe they will finally do something.
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JANE, I SUPPOSE SOME THINGS JUST ARE TOO MUCH FOR COMPREHENSION AND THEREFORE THEIR
MINDS BOGGLE EASILY. IN OTHER WORDS, IT DOESN'T SUIT THEM AND THERE'S NO $$$$$ IN IT FOR THEM.
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i dont see how pointing out dangerous flaws in american government is negative!any government who does not aggree that we have to do something about this for our childrens health and safety has some poor judgement
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