You'd
have to be living in a bubble not to know about the phthalate
controversy - they're chemicals found in plastics, shampoos, fragances,
moisturizers, and other consumer products, and recent studies have
shown that high levels of phthalates can cause reproductive problems in
males, as well as an increased risk of kidney and liver cancers.
Wal-Mart,
Toys R Us and Babies R Us have already announced that, effective
January 2009, items containing phthalates will no longer be allowed in
their stores. California, Washington and Vermont have enacted
state-wide bans. Internationally, the European Union has prohibited
many phthalates from children's goods since 1999. Now, Congress has
included a ban on certain phthalates in children's toys in a new bill
reforming the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
And boy, is the chemical industry pissed.
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