Jul
30
Filed Under Phthalates Info, Product Safety
Yesterday, Congress voted on the Children’s Safe Products Act which approved a nationwide ban on phthalates in products intended for children under 12. We’ve been waiting for this so we’re happy to say goodbye to phthalates DEHP, DBP and BBP… three chemicals used to soften plastics in children’s toys like bath squirties, soft books and “rubber” ducks. The Act is part of a final Bill to reform and improve the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This is obviously good news and further confirmation that there is enough doubt in their safety as well as demand for strict regulations on children’s products. And don’t think you didn’t have anything to do with it. Members and supporters of MomsRising.org alone sent in over 100,000 letters to congressman urging them to support the Act.
However, this ban doesn’t take effect for 6 months. Big stores like WalMart and Target have already promised a ban of children’s products with phthalates from their stores, beginning in January 2009… but with this kind of timeframe, we’ll still see toys containing phthalates on store shelves through this year’s holiday season. That means, as SafeParents, we still need to keep a critical eye and shop carefully to avoid them. There will always be something to be wary of when toy shopping but this recent ban is a step in the right direction.
Related Article: ABC News Phthalates Banned from Child Toys
Related Blog Article: EWG Enviroblog
Related articles:
- Toymakers Eye on Phthalates
- Phthalates Ban in Washington on the Horizon
- Phthalates in Toys: Hidden Dangers
