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Phthalates Banned From Toys
By Christina Quick | July 29, 2008
Good news for parents concerned about the safety of children’s products. Congress moved this week to ban certain phthalates from toys. The ban is scheduled to take effect in six months. The legislation also phases in a near-ban on lead in children’s products. Read the Washington Post story here.
Some researchers claim phthalates can cause reproductive problems and other serious health issues in children. The chemicals are often added to plastics to produce a soft, rubbery feel. Think rubber ducks.
It’s encouraging to see these issues finally getting some legislative attention. However, there’s still more to be done to decrease children’s exposure to questionable chemicals. Phthalates alone are added to many other products, such as shampoo and lotion (including some brands made specifically for babies and children).
Lead can be found in a host of consumer products, like imported dishes and home décor.
In my opinion, we need to take a closer look at all the products that make up a child’s home environment. Too much is at stake to ignore these important safety issues.
Read my previous blog post on this topic, Consumer Products and Other Scary Things.
Topics: Health |
