Congressional Ban on Toxic Toys Upheld
By "Katherine Butler ":http://www.greenopia.com/LA/news/15180/2-9-2009/Congressional-Ban-on-Toxic-Toys-Upheld
Did any of you play with plastic toys as a kid? Unless you grew up on the moon, it is likely that you did. This means one thing – you have more plastic chemicals in your body than a Hollywood trophy wife. But luckily, our kids don’t have to suffer the same fate. Recently, a federal judge upheld a ban on phthalates in children’s toys and childcare products. More importantly, they were ordered off the shelves. And this is a tremendous win for kids and the environment.
So what are phthalates, and why are they not-so-healthy? Phthalates are the chemicals used to soften plastics. And their laundry list of bad is long. They mess with testosterone, reduce sperm, cause malformations in genitalia, and more. A billion pounds of the stuff are produced each year. You know that new car smell inside your Prius? Well, get ready to hold your breath. It is “partly the pungent odor of phthalates volatilizing from a hot plastic dashboard.” (And in case you were wondering – yes, nothing is sacred anymore.)
Luckily, lawmakers took action. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act was passed and signed into law by President Bush on August 14, 2008. This means that as of February 10, 2009, the sale of all child-oriented products containing phthalates and lead will be illegal in the United States. This brings the U.S. up to speed with Europe, Mexico, Argentina, Israel and Japan, who have all since banned the same chemicals.
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For related news, visit our Youth Channel for Change.
Photo: blmurch/Flickr
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