By Banning Toy Toxin, Playtime Safer Across America

USA

A group of harmful, yet widespread chemicals found in many children’s toys have finally been banned from use after long debate in Congress. The ban is the result of hard-won campaigning on the part of parents and health experts going up against the heretofore unchallenged chemical industry. The act is good news for two reasons: first because it means safer toys and healthier families. Secondly, because the act may represent a shift away from government favoring of industry and towards consumer rights.

The chemicals, known as phthalates, are found in many children’s toys. Phthalates studies show, however, that when ingested into the body over the course of time these chemicals become toxins, damaging the reproductive system especially in males. They are also thought to contribute to cancer of the liver and kidney. The added danger is that if mothers are exposed to phthalates, the toxins can be passed to their infants through breastfeeding. The toxins have been illegal in the European Union since 2007.

The bill is part of a wider reform of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. The legislation also provides for the creation of a new database consumers can use to log complaints or accidents about the goods they use. In addition, new laws will strengthen regulation enforcement and violations of these laws will be met with harsher punishments.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/28/AR2008072802586.html?hpid=topnews