Phthalates Ban
The tide could be shifting in favor of consumers.
US Congress has agreed to ban three dangerous phthalates in childrens’ products. This is despite Exxon-Mobile and other toy manufacturers aggressive and expensive ($22 million) lobbying campaign against the bill. A pending study will determine if three other types of phthalates are also harmful to children. This is the start of a major overhaul by the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
Phthalates are found in thousands of different childrens’ toys; in particular, bath toys such as rubber ducks. A child can ingest the chemical by simply mouthing a toy. Large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Babies R Us have announced to their suppliers that they will no longer sell toys that are made with phthalates. This change will come into full effect in January 2009.
The Washington Post reported, “Daryl Ditz, senior policy adviser at the Center for International Environmental Law, said industry viewed the ban as a benchmark that might signal a shift in Congress’s willingness to toughen restrictions on toxins. “The great fear is that if a big, established chemical like this can be driven from the market, what’s next?” he said.”
California already prohibits the use of these phthalates in childrens’ products since 2007, and the European Union has banned six phthalates in their products since 1999.
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