Beyond the Tip of the Toxic Iceberg

Chances are you’re probably pretty familiar with the chemicals lead and phthalates in toys and other children’s products. And if you follow the issue at all, you know that recent legislation both in Washington state and Congress have placed limits on the two chemicals in toys. Yet, when it comes to toxic chemicals in children’s items, we’ve only dealt with the tip of the toxic iceberg. Fortunately, that’s about to change in Washington state.

Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson (D-36) and Sen. Sharon Nelson (D-34) introduced legislation this week to protect children’s health from the slew of other toxic chemicals found in toys and other children’s products. The bill, called the Children’s Safe Products Bill of 2011 (HB 1319 and SB 5231), requires manufacturers of children’s products to identify safer chemicals and materials that could be used in place of harmful chemicals in their products, and establishes a plan for possibly replacing the harmful chemicals with the safer alternatives. 

This legislation is long overdue and just plain commonsense. Every few weeks it seems there’s a new chemical to worry about. Whether it’s cadmium in drinking glasses and jewelry, toluene in slimy toys, or formaldehyde in clothing, regulators, consumers, and manufacturers are left scrambling to fix a problem that shouldn’t have occurred in the first place. By taking a proactive approach to finding safer alternatives for their products, manufacturers will have the information they need to stop using chemicals that harm children’s health. Instead they can make a safer product, which is something all of us can cheer. 

Washington state isn’t alone in wanting to clean up the toxic toy box. With the introduction of the Children’s Safe Products Bill of 2011 this week, the Washington state legislature joins 29 other state legislatures that will be considering legislation in 2011 to protect children and families from harmful chemicals. Despite well-funded opposition from the chemical industry, 18 state legislatures have already passed 71 chemical safety laws in the last eight years by an overwhelming, bipartisan margin – with more to come this year.

Want to join our Toxic-Free Kids Campaign and help us pass the Children’s Safe Product bill of 2011 (which we’re affectionately calling Toxic Toys Part Two)?   Sign our petition and check the “stay updated” box and we’ll keep you up to date on the campaign!  We’ll also be tracking the bill’s movement closely on our twitter account, @WA_Toxics, and via the hashtag #toxicfreewa