Toxic Toys- Related News Items

Does That Formula Come With A Side Of Arsenic?

A new study revealing high amounts of arsenic in organic brown rice syrup has been all over the news this week. Brown rice syrup is used as a sweetener in many organic foods, and the discovery that their baby’s formula could contain dangerous levels of arsenic has sent many parents through the roof. The Dartmouth study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, measured arsenic levels in infant formulas, energy shots, and cereal bars.

Mickey's Toxic Toys

As 2010 winds down, many of us at WTC are taking some time off before we head into the 2011 legislation session. Our policy director is currently on vacation in Florida with her family for some much needed rest and relaxation. She’s having a great time but she also discovered that even at “The Happiest Place on Earth” her family can’t escape toxic chemicals!

Toxic Toys Legislation Passes Out of Senate Committee

We’re one step closer to passing legislation to keep Washington kids safe from toxic chemicals. Today, the Senate Environment, Water, and Energy committee voted to pass the Children's Safe Products Bill out of committee!

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide 2011

The holidays should bring fun and good cheer, not worries about whether toxic ingredients in toys or other products may harm our loved ones. Before you go shopping, check out our tips for picking out the healthiest gifts for children and others this holiday season:

UPDATE: Toxic-Free Kids Act Moves Forward

Neither snow, nor ice, nor wind, nor rain, could keep supporters of the Toxic-Free Kids Act from Olympia and the State Capitol last week. And it's a good thing because it was quite a week in Olympia for the legisaltion.

Toxic-Free Future for Our Children

As any first time mother can tell you, many of your old values and long-held perspectives and beliefs shift by the time your baby gives you that first, innocent smile. For me, that change took the form of having my eyes opened to many of the problems facing children all over the world, and especially those that will affect my family.

All's NOT Fair In Love And War

No one said the road to protecting children from toxic chemicals would be easy. It’s a fight worth fighting for, but it’s a fight nonetheless. We came face to face with what our opposition was capable of, in the form of a "front group” known as Citizens For Fire Safety (CFFS). This group will stop at nothing to defeat the Toxic-Free Kids Act as their latest tactic shows.

Let's End The Toxic Toy Story

PVC is nasty stuff. Every stage in its life cycle involves the production, use, and release of toxic chemicals, with some of the culprits including dioxin, mercury, lead, cadmium, organotins, and phthalates. Is that what we want our kids playing with?

Toxic-Free Kids Legislation Hits Committees

This week, committees in both the Washington state House and Senate held hearings on the Children’s Safe Products Bill, new legislation to help protect children from toxic chemicals in products they use every day. The new bill would require manufacturers whose children’s products contain chemicals of concern to research alternatives- a common sense step in making kid’s products safer.

Toy Companies To Disclose Toxics In Toys Under New State Program

Children’s health advocates today applauded the Washington State Department of Ecology’s (Ecology) first-in-the nation program that will require manufacturers of toys and other children’s products to report whether their products contain certain harmful chemicals.

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide 2011

The holidays should bring fun and good cheer, not worries about whether toxic ingredients in toys or other products may harm our loved ones. Before you go shopping, check out our tips for picking out the healthiest gifts for children and others this holiday season:

Emergency Emails Needed to Senate!

As you read this the chemical and toy industries are fighting tooth and nail to block legislation that would help prevent diseases like childhood cancer. Just last week they killed a House bill, championed by health advocates, that would help protect kids from cancer causing chemicals like cadmium, Teflon chemicals and formaldehyde that are still used in products kids use every day.

28 States To Consider Toxic Chemicals Legislation In 2012

The past couple years have seen unprecedented changes in the toxic chemicals landscape across the United States. In the past nine years, over 80 chemical safety laws have been passed with an overwhelming margin of bi-partisan support in statehouses across the country.

Tips To Avoid Toxic Tris

As you’ve probably seen in many of our recent posts, toxic Tris flame retardants are bad news. Exposure to Tris has been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and nervous system harm. By being mindful with certain purchases, you can try to limit your family’s exposure to these dangerous chemicals and reduce your toxic body burden.

All I Want For Christmas Are Toxic-free Toys

Need a quick break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays? Check out our kids singing about what they want for Christmas...toxic-free toys!

Call Your Senators ASAP!

It’s been a busy week down in Olympia. The League of Everyday Superheroes has been working hard to help our Senators find their own inner Superheroes and vote yes for kids’ health, but we’re fast approaching a crucial deadline. If the Children’s Safe Products Bill doesn’t come to a floor vote and pass the Senate floor by the evening of Monday, March 7th, it will be effectively finished for the session. We’ve passed out posters, handed out superpowers, and lobbied relentlessly to protect kids. Now we need you to contact your Senators to make sure they know you, their constituents, support the bill and they should too!

Washington State Senate Takes Another Look At BPA Ban

Environmental and health groups led by the Washington Toxics Coalition testified before a Senate committee Monday on what they say is the need to ban Bisphenol A, a common enhancer of plastic products, from baby bottles, sippy cups and other children's products.

Help! The Chemical Industry Is Winning!

We’re shocked. Sad. And angry. Last night, the Toxic-Free Kids Act was voted out of committee, but with an amendment written by the chemical industry that removed the most important parts of the bill. Now, children won’t be protected from these cancer-causing Tris flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in toys, baby blankets, and other items, unless the Senate votes to strengthen the bill by next Tuesday.

A Little Comic Relief...

Over the past few weeks, we've been working hard to keep the Children's Safe Products Bill moving through the legislative machinery in Olympia. Making laws is hard work, and we decided that both us and the legislators needed a little comic relief to prepare us for the months ahead. Eventually we came up with this fun little piece we dropped by offices along with fact sheets last week...

Toy Industry Nonsense

The Toy Industry Association is one of the biggest opponents to this year’s Children’s Safe Products Bill – legislation that will help get toxic chemicals out of toys and other products. One mom tried to get to the bottom of their opposition and found out it’s nothing but nonsense.