Actually, someone in California has...but not without facing obstacles from state Republicans. With the news that Mattel is issuing yet another toy recall--the third this summer--due to lead paint from Chinese manufacturers, State Assemblyperson Fiona Ma authored and steered through passage a ban on pthalates that are found in many soft, plastic toys.
KABC: (video available on their site)
The state Senate has passed legislation that would ban a list of toxic chemicals from toys sold in California. One of the chemicals in question is Phthalates, which is found in most plastics. Now it heads to the governor's desk, though it is uncertain if he will sign it.
Despite the recent headlines of major recalls of lead-tainted toys, a proposed state ban of a different chemical used in toys was not a slam dunk -- it took a lot of arm twisting on the state Senate floor all Tuesday afternoon, and only late in the evening did the last two "yes" votes came in.
Phthalates are used to soften plastics and have been linked to reproductive damage in lab animals.
"There are countries in Europe --14 other countries -- that have banned this chemical," said state Senator Dean Florez, D-Shafter. "We're simply asking for an 'Aye' vote."
Most Republican senators and some moderate Democrats voted no because the last study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission concluded the most common Phthalate, DINP, is safe and that few children were at risk.
"The Feds have a lot more resources to put into this thing than we do. And if they studied it and said it's not a problem right now, I think we got to go along with that," said state Senator Dick Ackerman, R-Irvine.[..]
Until more scientific research can be done, the Consumer Products Safety Commission asked the industry to remove Phthalates from soft rattles and teethers as a precaution. For now it is voluntary.
And for those who don't have personal interest in the safety of children's toys, San Francisco's new AAR station (960 The Green) had a news report today about the dangers of pthalates in sex toys as well.
