Sacramento - One thousand phthalate-free rubber
ducks marched to the state capitol this morning as part of an event to urge Governor
Schwarzenegger to sign the Toxics Toys Bill (AB 1108 - Ma), a bill that would
phase out the use of phthalates in products intended for kids under the age of
three. Phthalates, known toxic chemicals, can leach out of baby products when
chewed on, entering children’s bodies.
“Toys should be the last place to find toxic chemicals,” said
Dan Jacobson, legislative director for Environment California, the sponsor of
AB 1108. “We are urging the governor to protect the health and safety of California’s children by
signing AB 1108 and banning phthalates from toys.”
Phthalates are added to PVC to make toys soft and flexible,
just the thing that makes them irresistible to children for chewing. They are
commonly used in baby products such as teethers, bath
books, and rubber ducks. Phthalates
do not chemically bond to PVC molecules causing them to leach out, often directly
into a child’s mouth.
“I just can’t believe they allow toxic chemicals to be added
to children’s toys,” said Kristina Acevedo, a Sacramento mother of four. “This has to stop.
With all the other concerns about the safety of children’s toys, the least the
governor can do is sign this bill.”
Safe alternatives exist as demonstrated by the toxic-free
rubber ducks at today’s event. These phthalate-free ducks, purchased from a California company, look
and feel identical to those that contain phthalates.
“Who cares how cute a toy is if it’s detrimental to
children’s health,” asked Alegre Ramos president and founder of green-and-greener.com,
a company that sells products free of dangerous chemicals like phthalates and
who supplied the thousand ducks for today’s event.
According to US EPA studies, phthalates have been shown to
have negative effects on human health including interfering with the hormone
system, causing reproductive and genital defects and early onset of puberty. Phthalates
may also lower sperm count and are associated with risk factors for testicular
cancer. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), phthalate levels are highest in children.
“Because children’s minds and bodies are growing
and developing, they are particularly vulnerable to chemicals that could affect
proper development,” said Assemblymember Fiona Ma, author of AB 1108. “Given
what we know today, the only solution to this problem is to ban the chemical
from children’s toys."
Below: Environment California Legislative Director Dan Jacobson (click to enlarge)
