• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Phthalates in Toys: Banned Chemicals Exposure Declines While Others Increase

The good news is exposure to the banned phthalates has gone down; however, exposure to their replacement phthalates has increased at alarming rates.

The good news is exposure to the banned phthalates has gone down; however, exposure to their replacement phthalates has increased at alarming rates.

There are several chemicals that have become household terms thanks to a growing awareness of their harmful effects.  Bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates are amongst the bad guys of the 80,000 chemicals approved by the EPA we know we should avoid…but phthalates are a bit tricky.

In 2008, the the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in 2008 banned certain types of phthalates from toys that enter children’s mouths:  BBzP, DnBP and DEHP, as well as  “tentatively banned three others — DnOP, DiDP and DiNP”.  Naive as I am, I assumed all phthalates were one in the same and part of this ban.

The good news is exposure to the banned phthalates has gone down; however, exposure to their replacement phthalates has increased at alarming rates.  What else would we expect?  Remove one plastic softener from the market and companies will replace it with another.

Greenwire explains:

Despite the ban, manufacturers are still allowed to use several other types of phthalates in consumer products. Research published today in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives suggests companies are shifting to different forms of the compounds, used to soften plastic — even though studies say they can cause health and reproductive problems.

“We were excited to see that exposure to some of the phthalates that are of public health concern actually went down,” Ami Zota, an assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University, who conducted the research while a fellow at the University of California, San Francisco, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, our data also suggest that these are being replaced by other phthalates with potential adverse health effects.”

The 2008 law banned three types of phthalates — BBzP, DnBP and DEHP. It also tentatively banned three others — DnOP, DiDP and DiNP — from toys that could enter a child’s mouth. While the phthalates subject to the permanent ban showed decreases in exposure, two of the versions not banned permanently saw slight increases. The third, DiNP, saw a 150 percent increase in exposure, which the researchers suggested could be because industry is using it to replace the most harmful phthalates. California health officials recently added DiNP to the state’s list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm.

When we look at banning chemicals, we need to also consider what they will be replaced with, as they will be replaced.  We need to find safer alternatives that are truly safer.

Once again, I am reminded it is best to avoid plastic, especially in children’s toys.  Although I am not a proponent of binkies, it is really scary to consider these chemicals are in most baby pacifiers.

Image:  LicenseAttributionShare Alike Some rights reserved by CBP Photography

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Green Your Valentine’s Day: Eco-Friendly Lingerie by Snoa Sleepwear
Gourmet Cooking: Stöger Organic Austrian Pumpkin Seed Oil »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Vegan Creamy Cauliflower Tahini Bisque

Uniquely Scented, Soothing Hand Sanitizer with Integrity: New Vegan PlaneAire Hands with Aloe and Green Tea

More from the archives!

What's on your Toilet: Recycling in the Bathroom

WTF? Dance Moms: 8-Year-Old “Topless” Showgirls

Media Misrepresentation: Cosleeping Blamed for Infant's Death

Ecochildsplay featured on Access to Awareness

Fair Trade Everyday Coconut Daily Face Lotion: Broad Spectrum SPF 15

It’s Time to Quit Plastics and How to do It

Reduce Plastic Waste with re-brush Eco-Friendly Toothbrush

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids: How to Plan Memorable Family Adventures and Connect Kids to Nature

Toxic Disney and the Economy

A Halloween Craft-tacular Weekend

Green Gorilla: Create a Natural Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Preparing in Advance For Medical Emergencies

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Want a Smart Kid? Be Nice and Nurturing!

USA Made Toys: Lunastix Juggling Sticks From Down to Earth Toys

Hank D and the Bee: Backyard Chicken

Don’t feel guilty

Boys And Girls: As Different as Cats and Dogs?

Copyright © 2021 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2021 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.