The partial ban on plastic-softening chemicals called phthalates is seen as a major victory to parents and health experts who have been urging the government to remove harmful chemicals from toys. Children ingest the toxins by acts as simple as chewing on tethers or other plastic toys.
Senate and House conference committee members announced the phthalates ban as part of a final bill to reform and expand the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the main watchdog agency for end-use consumer products.
According to ICIS news, the legislators agreed to permanently prohibit the sale of children's toys or child care articles that contain more than 0.1 percent di-(2 ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).
The sale of children's toys or child care articles containing concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) or di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) will be prohibited on an interim basis. Phthalates make plastics softer and more durable and also are added to perfumes, lotions, shampoos and other items.
Starting Jan. 1, 2009, Wal-Mart; the biggest toy seller, Toys R Us; and Babies R Us will no longer carry products containing the chemicals.
After a scientific review by a Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel, the final decision will be approved by a vote through both the House and Senate.
President Bush is expected to sign the measure into law.
