Environmental watch

August 6, 2008 | Print

Summer Toys, Phthalate Ban and Lead in Garden Hoses

Congress agreed to ban three types of phthalates from children’s toys, and three others will be illegal until further studies. The ban will take effect in six months and includes requirements for mandatory testing.

The measure follows California’s lead (Washington and Vermont have also passed legislation), and retailers Wal-Mart and Toys R Us, which will no longer carry toys with phthalates as of January 2009. A 2005 study found that baby boys born to women with high phthalate levels were more likely to have reproductive issues.

Congress taking action shows the strength of scientific studies and a potential shift to federal regulations favoring consumers–perhaps because we’re getting louder and/or legislators’ priorities are changing. It’s estimated that phthalate manufacturer Exxon Mobile spent $22 million lobbying to prevent the ban. President Bush opposes the ban, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll veto it.

Since 1999, the European Union has banned six phthalates from children’s products.

Pool toys are usually made with PVC or soft plastics that contain phthalates. To be safe, follow The Green Guide’s suggestions about buying and playing with Summer Toys. They also advise never letting children drink from the hose. Garden hoses usually contain lead stabilizers, which leach into the water. For filling up kiddie pools try a hose labeled as drink-safe or one from The Green Guide list.

Our general approach with plastic toys is to check labels for pthalates (or rather No Phthalates)–and buy from stores like Ooompa Toys, Magic Cabin and Rosie Hippo’s. Plastic toys at times seem inevitable. The kids will get toy cars or sunglasses as party favors. We just cycle them out of the house pretty quickly.

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