The Stop Toxic Toys bill, which bans two toxic
chemicals—phthalates and bisphenol-A—from children’s toys and feeding products,
was signed into law by Mayor Gavin Newsom on Friday, June 16. The law takes effect on December 1, 2006.
Phthalates (pronounced thay-lates), often used in
soft PVC plastic children’s toys, have been linked to reproductive
birth
defects, early onset of puberty, asthma, and reduced testosterone in
boys. San Francisco is the first city in the United States to ban
these chemicals in children’s products. The European Union and at
least twelve countries
have passed bans or restrictions on the use of phthalates in products
for small
children.
Bisphenol-A, a known hormone disruptor, is a
common ingredient in hard plastic baby bottles and has been shown to
leach out
of the plastic, especially in older bottles. Even at very low doses it
has been linked to obesity,
early onset of puberty, behavioral problems, reduced sperm production,
increased cancer cell growth, and impaired immune function. San
Francisco is the first jurisdiction in the world to ban bisphenol-A
in children’s products.
“Many parents would be shocked to learn that the
plastic baby bottle they’re giving their child could damage their health. When you look at the science behind these
chemicals, there is no question that they ought to be banned from baby
products,” said Supervisor Fiona Ma, the author of the San Francisco bill.
“We cannot allow toxic chemicals to be used in
products for young children, especially those specifically designed to be put
into their mouths,” said Rachel Gibson, Staff Attorney for Environment
California. Environment California was the sponsor of California legislation—AB 319 (Chan)—that would have imposed a
statewide restriction on the use of phthalates and bisphenol-A in children’s
toys and feeding products. “The California legislature failed to take appropriate action this year
when it had the opportunity to do so. We
applaud San Francisco for taking this significant step to protect our most
vulnerable population.”
Supervisors Ma, Maxwell, Alioto-Pier, Ammiano, and
McGoldrick co-authored the San Francisco Stop Toxic Toys bill. The bill passed its final reading on June 6
and was signed into law by Mayor Gavin Newsom on June 16.
