No More Toxic Toys
Parents have a right to know what chemicals are in the products they buy for their children. That's why we're working to ensure a new Washington state program will provide parents, consumers, and policymakers with the information they need to make good decisions about chemicals in products.
Just the Tip of the Toxic Iceberg
Remember the fall of 2007 when Thomas, Elmo and Dora were personae non grata in toy boxes because they contained harmful levels of lead? Over 20 million toys were recalled that fall because they contained unsafe levels of lead. Both Washington state and Congress responded, placing limits on the amount of lead and the chemicals group phthalates that could be used in toys.
Just the Tip of the Toxic Iceberg
Yet, the problem goes beyond just those two chemicals. Shortly after the recalls, research started uncovering other harmful chemicals in products kids use every day. There’s reproductive toxicant bisphenol A in food cans and cancer-causing formaldehyde in blankets, as well as cadmium in jewelry.
Parents and government regulators were left wondering: what other chemicals might be hiding in the toys and other products children use? Unfortunately, finding that information is difficult to impossible because manufacturers aren’t required to disclose the chemicals in their products.
A Common Sense Solution
The Department of Ecology is on a path to change that. They’re writing new rules this fall to require children’s product manufacturers to tell parents and regulators what chemicals they use in their products. These new rules will make sure parents and regulators have the information they need to make good decisions about what products contain harmful chemicals.
Strong rules will help parents and government officials by:- Prioritizing over 50 of the most harmful chemicals for action first.
- Requiring manufacturers to reveal whether harmful chemicals are in their products and in what quantities.
- Ensure wide and easy access to the information by the public.
Resources
- Not So Squeaky Clean: A Study of Phthalates In Toys, February 2008.
- Results of X-Ray Testing for Toxic Chemicals in Washington Homes and Office, February 2007.
Background
It's been several years since high levels of lead prompted the recall of millions of toys, shocking many parents and consumers.
In 2008, Washington became the first state to pass stringent standards for lead, cadmium, and phthalates in toys and other children's products. Congress quickly followed Washington's lead, passing the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act to regulate lead and phthalates in toys.
Despite these children's health wins, there are still gaping holes in the laws that protect children from chemicals. In fact, there are over 80,000 chemicals on the market today with very little oversight of what chemicals are put into consumer products.
Washington state's Children's Safe Products Act (CSPA) not only regulates lead, phthalates and cadmium in toys and other products, but requires the state to prioritize chemicals that are harmful to children's health and requires makers of children's products to report whether they use these chemicals in their products.
The Department of Ecology is currently developing regulations for implementing the CSPA.
For More Information Contact:
Ivy Sager-Rosenthal 206-632-1545 x 122
Laurie Valeriano 206-200-2824
Duck image courtesy Flickr user fontplaydotcom.
