Toxic chemicals can be found in common baby products, according to a new report to be released tomorrow by the Environment California Research and Policy Center and the National Association of State PIRGs. “The Right Start: The Need to Eliminate Toxic Chemicals from Baby Products,” documents toxic chemicals, including phthalates and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), in teethers, bath books, and sleep accessories.
The Environment California Research & Policy Center collaborated on the report with the Research and Public Education Center for the U.S. PIRG, the federal advocacy office of Environment California and the State PIRGs. The groups tested eighteen children’s products for the presence of a set of chemicals known as phthalates, and tested seven infant sleep accessories, such as mattress pads and sleep wedges, for the presence of PBDEs, or toxic flame retardants. Both chemicals are known to cause developmental and other problems such as early onset of puberty and obesity.
The release coincides with ongoing legislation in California which the Assembly will hear when the session resumes in January 2006. At the federal level, the groups are urging Congress to phase out the most dangerous chemicals, particularly from children’s products as well as reform U.S. chemicals policy to ensure that manufacturers and industrial users provide the public with adequate information about their products. The European Union has banned the chemicals.
Environment California Research &Policy Center is also releasing a letter addressed to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to protect our children. Ten celebrities signed the letter, including Blythe Danner and Susan Sarandon. Shiva Rose (actress, new mother, and wife of Dylan McDermott) will speak at the Los Angeles news conference on 10/12.
Contact: Meghan Purvis, Environmental Health Associate U.S. PIRG, mpurvis@pirg.org, 202-546-9707
