Holiday Shoppers Beware: Phthalate Ridden Toys Still On the Shelves

I was so excited about the phthalates ban to take effect early in 2009 (February 10th, to be exact). As part of the CPSC reform act, phthalates are to be banned in children's products as written into law and signed by the president.

So what will happen with the phthalate ridden toys still on the shelves? Nothing. They are still for sale this holiday season and beyond, and with the support of the CPSC, will still end up in the hands of countless children. Retailers can continue to sell these toxic toys even if it is past the February deadline, until their supply is gone. They can be sold as long as they were manufactured before February 10th. Can you say extreme discounts? And who will buy these toys as they come down in price? People who are too busy, are living in poverty or close to it, who don't know about this. There children will have more chemical exposures, and potentially more harmful health effects. And that is just wrong.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals that soften plastic and have been linked to early onset of puberty, testicular cancer, and birth defects. They have no place in any children's product, as Congress agreed last year.

If you agree that continuing to sell these toxic toys is outrageous and irresponsible, please visit this link from Momsrising to send a message to the CPSC's acting Chairman Nancy Nord. If you are a Vermonter, you can also send this email through VPRIG about this issue.

image: Rubber Ducks by Dan 1980 on Flickr