Groups Sue Over Toxic Toys

Consumer Advocates Say Federal Regulators Will Ignore Congress And Won't Bar All Toys Containing Dangerous Softener

(CBS)  Consumer groups are crying foul over what they say is an attempt by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to get around a congressional ban set to take effect Feb. 10 on toys containing amounts considered dangerous of phthalates, chemicals that soften plastic and make it more flexible.

The Natural Resources Defense Council and Public Citizen filed a lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan seeking to force the CPSC to enforce the ban and get all such toxic toys off store shelves.

On The Early Show Wednesday, Elizabeth Hitchcock, a public health advocate with US PIRG, explained that phthalates can cause a number of adverse health affects, particularly when young children are exposed to amounts over recommended limits.

But, she says, the CPSC is interpreting the ban in a way that creates a loophole to keep from applying it to all toys that might have been involved.

The agency says the ban means manufacturers have to stop MAKING such toys by Feb. 10, but toys that have already been produced by then can be sold as long as supplies last, which could take years. That, as opposed to making such toys unavailable, period, on that date.

Hitchcock recommends that parents avoid products with phthalates, to play it safe.

[blog_fever]

Bush/Barack are no where in this story. Stay on topic people!

[nghtcase]

I don''t know why so many believe that when Bush leaves office the world is going to make this drastic turn around! Boy Blobama has sure done a great job of snowing you! You think all the bad in the world has only taken place since Bush was ELECTED into office? What planet have you been living on all these years?

[clathrate]

If they didn`t use phthalates, the plastic would be all hard, and these idiots would probably poke their eye out with it, and sue anyway.


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Posted by DaVicar1

Except that only vinyl requires phtalates. Manufacturers could very easily use LDPE (low density polyethylene), EPDM, or silicones for soft plastic, but are so *** cheap they''ll save 3 cents and go with toxic vinyl.

There is no excuse for this stupid nonsense. and of course only Bush appointees would waste taxpayer money in fighting to NOT do their *** job.

Bush, get lost man. You and your flunkies are just too dumb to beleive.

[slim1h2o]

Easy to solve this problem. Parents, don''t buy any cheap plastic, metal, or wooden toys painted.

Just give your little tykes what thye really want, a cardboard box, maybe a cooking pan and a wooden spoon to bang on it with. All that you can readily find in most homes.