Ban Phthalates from Kid's Toys

Hi "Simply Authentic,"

In the past year, we have learned that toys are not as safe as we once thought. Thomas the Tank Engine and other toys manufactured in China - and the U.S. -- were recalled en masse because of lead contamination. But lead is not the only toxic chemical in toys that parents are worried about. Phthalates are another family of unsafe chemicals commonly used in children's toys such as teethers, bath books and rubber ducks to make them soft and flexible. When kids put these toys in their mouths, phthalates can leach out of the products and enter their bodies. Help us prevent harm.

Take Action! Urge Congress to Ban Phthalates from Kid's Toys.

Unfortunately phthalates have been linked to a number of serious health problems including birth defects, early puberty and testicular cancer. They have no place in our children's toys, especially since safe alternatives exist.

CHEJ has convinced major retailers including Target, Wal-Mart, and Toys R Us to phase out these toxic chemicals.

California and Washington have banned these chemicals from toys, as has the European Union and 14 other countries. Now, Congress has the opportunity to protect all of our children.

Right now, a bipartisan Conference Committee is reconciling differences between House and Senate versions of the Consumer Product Safety Commission Reform Act. The Senate Democrats on the committee are pushing to include a critical amendment authored by Senator Dianne Feinstein that would ban phthalates in children's toys and childcare articles. But House members of the Conference Committee have not yet committed to-and may even oppose-including the Senate ban on phthalates in the final bill. Representatives Dingell, Rush and DeGette will most likely be the deciding votes!

Take Action! Urge Congress to Ban Phthalates from Kid's Toys.

Thanks for your help in preventing harm.

Sincerely,
Center for Health, Environment and Justice
PS - After you take action, can you forward this e-mail to 5 of your friends?

This message is brought to you by the Center for Health, Environment and Justice's BE SAFE PVC Campaign.For more information visit the BE SAFE PVC campaign's website: www.besafenet.com/pvc

**On a side note, most regulations that do exist for most chemicals (or why they are deemed "safe") is because they are based on studies that were done on adults. Infants and children, with their smaller body masses) are more susceptible to chemical transmission. Thus we are living surrounded by exposures that are based on only a percentage of the population that are exposed to them.**