Why Care?

If you're a parent, a pregnant woman, or buy gifts for children, you should know about phthalates, Bisphenol-A, and mounting concern about the health effects of common plastics.

The concerns about toxics in plastic (excerpted from a great article in USA Today) include health issues related:

• Early puberty
• Obesity
• Prostate Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Hyperactivity
• Reproductive Health

Most of the scientific evidence seems to be coming from studies in lab rats, though studies are substantiating a link between pre-natal exposure to phthalates, for example, and the reproductive health of newborn boys. Phthalate, (pronounced "tha-lights") and Bisephenol-A are commonly found in household products and children's products, including:

• Teething rings
• Toys
• Baby bottles
• Plastic wrap

Broadly, phthalates are used to make plastics, like PVC, soft and supple. You'll commonly find it in squishy toys, like rubber duckies and teething rings. Bisphenol-A is used to make plastic shatter-proof, so you'll find it in baby bottles. Both compounds have alternatives, though they are more expensive. Anecdotally, these toxins seem to appear more in cheaper toys.

What Government is (Not) Doing

Many of these chemicals are banned in Europe and very, very common in the United States. Ironically, Europeans banned these compounds partly because research from U.S. scientists, according to a recent show on PBS. Europe uses the "precautionary principle," banning chemicals when evidence points to consumer harm. The U.S. EPA has a much lower standard and is required by law to find the "least burdensome impact on industry."

The EPA has not banned a chemical compound in more than a decade. To stay safe, consumers in the U.S. must take action on their own.

How You Can Take Action

Here are some practical steps that you can take to reduce your family's exposure to toxins in plastics:

1. Get informed about the risk. It's pretty motivating to understand some of the scientific research. There's been some great reporting on this issue lately and at least one good book on the public policy issues.

2. Find out which products most potentially dangerous. It's a good bet that cheaper toys contain plastic compounds considered toxic. There are some great online tools for checking brands and products.

3. Switch to high-quality plastics or wooden toys and Bisephenol-free baby bottles. Because of the stronger regulations in place, toys made for the European market are likely safer, though more expensive.

4. Write your politicians. Spread the word that parents are taking action against toxics in plastics. California is one the first places in the U.S. to take steps to ban toxins in plastics.

Together, we can tell Washington what the rest of the developed world already seems to know: plastics are poisoning us.

Update: Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington State is considering a vetoing pending legislation of phthalates in toys.  To learn more, see this story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.  To contact Governor Gregoire, please follow this link.

8/6/08 Update: The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives has passed a ban on phthalates.  As of August 6th, the bill was awaiting President Bush's signature.  Send him an email to voice your support for this important bill.