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In November 2006, the San Francisco Chronicle had a front page article reporting about phthalates and bisphenol A in children’s toys and products. Phthalate is used to soften polyvinyl chloride used in toys, raincoats, shower curtains and medical tubing. In animal studies, phthalates interfere with hormonal systems and in the DEHP form is a carcinogen and a reproductive toxicant. Bisphenol A acts as a building block in hard, clear polycarbonate plastic baby bottles, water bottles and food containers. In animal studies, it altered the function of the thyroid gland, brain, pancreas and prostate gland. It leaches out of products under normal use. John Petersen Myers, PhD., wrote another piece in the Chronicle about the dangers of bispenol A, “Replace Bisphenol A or a Child’s Health?”
As of December 1, 2006, the city of San Francisco became the first-in-the-nation city to ban the sale of baby products containing phthalates and bisphenol A. This law was modeled after a European Union ban that started in 2006 but a temporary ban has been in place in Europe since 1999. Time magazine featured an article about San Francisco’s ban called “What’s Toxic in Toyland” in their December 11, 2006 issue.
The San Francisco Chronicle had 16 toys tested in a private lab. A rubber ducky was found to contain the phthalate DEHP. Plastic baby bottles contained bisphenol A. Other popular teethers, dolls, soft books, rattles and plastic mouth covers on pacifiers contained concerning levels of these chemicals. These chemicals can leach out every time a baby sucks on them. How this ban will be enforced is still yet to be determined.
Update: On August 3, 2007, the Los Angeles Times published an article that reported on a new study from researchers from the National Institutes of Health. This research found uterine damage in newborn animals exposed to bisphenol A. That damage is a possible predictor of reproductive diseases in women, including fibroids, endometriosis, cystic ovaries and cancers.
We at Babylife strive to provide safe alternatives to these products so parents can make informed choices about what they feel is best to give to their baby.
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