Baby Toys: California to Ban Phthalates in Baby Products

By Colleen Hurley, RD Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

With parents awaiting changes in legislation regarding the safety of infant and children’s toys, California takes initiative to make improvements. A little over a week ago, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger passed a law banning the use of phtalates in toys and baby products.  California is the first state in the US to pass a law of this nature.

What exactly are phthalates?

Phthalates (pronounced THA-lates) are a group of chemicals that have been used in plastics since the 1930’s as a means of making plastic soft and pliable. Phthalates typically float around within a PVC polymer like water in a sponge; making them easily ingested.  Commonly found in foil packed products, ink used to print on plastic, baby formula, baby toys, cheese, margarine, vinyl flooring, and cosmetics; phthalates are fat-soluble and tend to accumulate in fat-rich foods like butter and cheese as well as body fat cells in humans. 

Why are we just hearing about this now?
Although the current scrutiny on baby toys has caused both manufacturers and consumers to take a harder look at what we are allowing our kids to play with, phthalates have been under suspicion for almost a decade.  Since 1999, Greenpeace has been campaigning to ban toys made with PVC.  It seems the US tends to be behind the rest of the world when it comes to chemicals.  The European Parliament voted in 2005 to ban several forms of phthalates in products kids might put in their mouths and Canada voluntarily agreed to seize use of phthalates since 1998.

 
Why are phthalates bad for us?
For starters, this dangerous chemical mix is mainly used in baby toys.  As every parent knows, kids put everything in their mouths.  Many teething rings, pacifiers, and rattles contain phthalates.  Even a small amount of exposure has been linked in studies to cause genital defects including decreased testosterone production in boys, and early onset of puberty in girls.  Back in 2005, USA Today reported pregnant women exposed to high (yet common) levels of phthalates had an increased risk of giving birth to sons with decreased reproductive development including incomplete testicular descent and smaller genitals.  The Phthalate Esters Panel of the American Chemistry Council said there was not enough significant research to have concern and dismissed these studies.  This same panel is also lobbying to keep other US states from proposing a ban similar to the one in California.

Parent as Advocates
As a parent you’re a not just a caregiver but also a consumer.  Supply reflects demand, so it is important to search for quality baby products. You can visit Congress.org to learn more about current legislation regarding infant, baby, and children’s products as well as what you can do to advocate change.