Plastic toys that contain harmful toxins (banned by lawmakers in US in June) are still on the market, writes Wall Street Journal (The article, WSJ, Oct 23rd 2008).
Restrictions on phthalates take effect in February 2009 and rubber ducks and many other toys will be illegal to sell. Problem is they are still sold (and they might be even on sale) so take care what you buy for your child (or someone else's child) this Christmas! And get rid of those rubber ducks (sorry, vinyl ducks.)
Even though the law is an improvement to the current situation, there are other problems too. The law doesn't cover vinyl products that are not play things. The Greenpeace writes:
"The legislation will cover products made for children up to 12 years of age, ranging from baby teethers to Barbie dolls. Unfortunately, the new law will not cover vinyl products that aren’t playthings, although every parent knows that everything in the home has the potential to be sucked on or put in a child’s mouth. Vinyl products not covered by the legislation include car safety seats, clothing, children’s furniture or other vinyl household products ranging from shower curtains to floor and wall coverings. The law will also not cover other chemicals such as bisphenol-a (BPA) which has been found in polycarbonate plastic baby bottles." Read more.
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