US lawmakers to ban toxins from toys: reports

[meegbear]

US lawmakers agreed to ban the use of a group of chemicals in toys and other children's products that consumer groups say cause serious health effects, newspapers reported Tuesday.

Congressional negotiators agreed Monday on the wording of a ban after months of wrangling, according to The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

The ban, part of a long-debated overhaul of US consumer safety standards, would eliminate certain phthalates used to soften plastic and commonly found in toys, shower curtains and shampoos, The Washington Post reported.

Critics believe the chemicals are linked to reproductive problems, including low sperm counts.

Certain phthalates were banned for use in children's products in Europe in 1999 and in California last year. The states of Washington and Vermont have since passed legislation on use of the chemicals.

The Wall Street Journal said some of the chemicals would be banned only temporarily under the new legislation while more research is conducted.

<snip>

Lawmakers are expected to pass the new legislation, the Journal reported. The Post said President George W. Bush opposes the ban, but has not yet decided whether to veto the measure (meegbear's emphasis).

:grr:

http://rawstory.com/news/afp/US_lawmakers_to_ban_toxins_from_toy_07292008.html

[krispos42]

1. How generous of them to be thinking of us.

I mean, really... how much of a "duh" item is this?

[ellenfl]

2. you mean how many dead babies constitute acceptable risk?

fearless leader is not sure whether he will veto or not??? :crazy: i know! let's experiment with the stuff on his kids!

ellen fl