The bill passed!! The bill passed!! Governor Schwarzenegger signed legislation today that forbids companies from manufacturing, selling or distributing toys and childcare products in the state of California which contain phthalates (see the press release below.) You might remember, these are the chemicals which I talked about a while back which can be found in many flexible plastic products, including things like baby bottle nipples, bath toys, pacifiers, etc. Given how enormous the California market is, I have to believe that this legislation will make companies stop and take notice and hopefully change their practices across the board. Phthalates should NEVER have been used in children's products in the first place, but better late than never. It things like this that make me LOVE living in California!!
Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Legislation to Protect Children from Toxic Toys
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed legislation to protect the health of our state’s children by prohibiting the use of phthalates in toys and childcare products designed for babies and children under three years of age.
“We must take this action to protect our children,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “These chemicals threaten the health and safety of our children at critical stages of their development.”
AB 1108 by Assemblymember Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) will protect the health of our state’s children by preventing exposure to toxic chemicals. Specifically, this bill will prohibit the manufacturing, sale and distribution of toys and child care products intended for use by children under the age of three that contain phthalates. Scientific research has shown that these chemicals have a number of negative health effects, including links to cancer and reproductive defects.
Led by the Secretary for Environmental Protection, the Governor has called for the establishment of a Green Chemistry Initiative to develop policy options for implementing green chemistry policies. Instead of making chemical policy through the legislature on a case by case basis, the goal of this initiative is to work with scientists from California and around the world to evaluate the health effects of chemicals and possible alternatives in a comprehensive manner.
“A comprehensive and unified approach is needed to ensure good accountable policy and I encourage the legislature and all interested parties to participate in the development of this important initiative,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger.
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