Scientific
studies have linked toxic chemicals such as lead, phthalates and Bisphenol A
to a variety of chronic diseases in children including some cancers, asthma
and learning and developmental disorders.
These toxic
chemicals are often found in consumer products including children’s toys,
baby bottles, car seats, and other children’s products. Consumers,
especially children, should not be exposed to hazardous chemicals through
household products.
As
children’s minds and bodies go through the delicate process of growing and
developing, they are particularly vulnerable to chemicals that could affect
proper development.
PHTHALATES IN PVC TOYS
Phthalates, a
known human health hazard, are used in a variety of children’s products
throughout the United States. Phthalates are commonly added to vinyl to
make it soft and flexible. Children have a natural tendency to suck on
objects as a way of exploring the world around them and therefore are very
easily exposed to the phthalates that can leach out of these products.
·
An independent, EPA-certified laboratory analyzed 33 soft vinyl toys
purchased in the U.S. for their content of diisononylphthalate (DINP) and
other phthalates. DINP levels were found to range from 11.4 to 57.2% of the
toy by weight. This was found in both bath and squeeze toys sold by
major retailers as well as teethers and other toys manufactured by
non-U.S. companies and sold in discount/”dollar” stores in select
metropolitan areas.[i]
Childhood
lead poisoning is the most common environmental health problem affecting
Connecticut’s children,
and has been identified as a particularly serious issue in communities of
color and low income. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention guidelines, even minimally elevated blood lead levels can
negatively affect a child’s learning ability and behavior.
LEAD IN BABY
BIBS AND LUNCH BOXES
·
A
sample of vinyl baby bibs had a lead level of 9700 parts per million,
more than 16 times greater than the federal legal limit for lead in paint.[ii]
·
Tests on children’s soft vinyl lunch boxes showed levels of lead up
to 90 times above the legal limit for lead paint in children’s products.
The lead is not a paint component; it is found in the vinyl itself, and in
most cases the highest lead levels were found in the lining of soft plastic
lunch boxes, where lead could come into direct contact with food.[iii]
LEAD IN CHILDREN’S JEWELRY
·
A
study conducted in 2007 tested 339 pieces of children’s jewelry and
found that 60% tested positive for lead.[iv]
·
A
study published in the bulletin of Environmental Contamination and
Toxicology found that the majority of bracelets, rings,
necklaces and earrings
bought from big chain stores leached enough lead to cause
minor
neurological damage with just 20 second of daily contact.
Bisphenol A,
found in plastic products like shatter proof baby bottles and the linings of
some cans, has been linked to increased risk of breast cancer, developmental
toxicity and potential neurotoxicity.
BISPHENOL-A IN BABY BOTTLES
·
Environment California found that all of the five top selling brands of baby
bottles leached bisphenol A at levels found to cause harm in numerous
laboratory studies.[v]
·
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 95% of Americans have
detectable levels of bisphenol A in their bodies.
Current laws
allow toxic chemicals in everyday
products, including those marketed for children.
Manufacturers
have no incentive to use safer alternatives, leaving our children guinea
pigs.
That’s the
bad news. The good news is that solutions are available
and with the
mounting scientific evidence it is time for change.
Safer
alternatives to these chemicals exist
and can be
used to ensure children’s health and safety. In the absence of adequate
federal regulations, new state policies are necessary to reduce childhood
exposure to unsafe chemicals.
Getting toxics out of toys is a
good place to start!
European
countries have already taken the step of banning phthalates
as a primary prevention measure. Japan and several other countries have
adapted similar restrictions on the use of phthalates, and other states are
looking at banning certain chemicals of concern in children’s toys.
U.S. Unions are
taking action into their own hands.
The United Steelworkers have launched a nationwide campaign, supported by a
broad array of consumer and environmental groups, reaching out to consumers
in their neighborhoods to educate families about how to screen for lead
contaminants in toys and other products. “We’ve allowed toxic toys and other
products to come in through the back door, free of regulation but bearing an
enormous cost to working families,” says United Steelworkers President, Leo
W. Gerard said.
In 2007, the
Coalition will be pressing for legislation to phase out chemicals of concern
in children’s toys
and articles, and provide seed funding for an Institute to test toys and
study safer alternatives.
LEARN MORE AND GET MORE INVOLVED
Visit
www.safehealthyct.org or contact
Sarah Uhl, Coalition Coordinator, 860-232-6232
Administrative
and Residual Employees Union # 4200 (A & R 4200) * Clean Water Action *
ConnectiCOSH * ConnFESS * CT Association of Directors of Health (CADH) * CT
Association of Public Health Nurses (CAPHN) * CT Chapter, American
Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO-CT) * CT
Citizen Action Group * CT Coalition for Environmental Justice (CCEJ) * CT
Northeast Organic Food Association (NOFA) * CT Nurses Association (CNA) *
CT Public Health Association (CPHA) * CT State Council of Machinists *
Council 4 American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
* Ecological Health Organization (ECHO) * Environment Connecticut *
Hartford Central Labor Council * Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter * Teamsters
559 * Toxics Action Center * The Watershed Partnership
645
Farmington Ave., 3rd Floor 