Untested alternatives to DINP Pose a Real Danger to Children

Today’s story on NPR’s Morning Edition sheds light on the unintended consequences of the federal phthalate ban that went into effect earlier this week. Child Safety Task Force President Robert Johnson issued the following statement in response to this story:

“We commend this report for asking the unanswered questions about the phthalates ban. Before the ban was enacted, we warned lawmakers that safe chemicals would be replaced with potentially harmful substances. Parents should have confidence in knowing the substances in their children’s toys are safe, but not even the toymakers can offer this assurance. Consumers must be given accurate and complete information to make proper decisions when purchasing products for their kids.”

“It is important to differentiate between classes of phthalates. Congress put only a temporary prohibition on the high-molecular weight (HMW) phthalates—DINP, DnOP, and DIDP— due to their high safety record. A previous CPSC panel on DINP concluded that there were “no demonstrated health risks” from DINP in children’s toys, and that there is “no justification” for banning its use. Scientists for The European Union, National Institutes of Health, and Centers for Disease Control have reached similar conclusions about the safety of high molecular weight phthalates.”

The CPSC will issue a final ruling on HMW phthalates upon completion of a CPSC Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) review of these compounds and their alternatives.

“It is imperative the CHAP consider all safety concerns that will result from replacing phthalates in children’s products. Confidence in toy safety can only be attained through proven science and approval from regulatory agencies of jurisdiction. We need to make sure that all chemicals present in our children’s toys are held to the same standard of safety.”

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For more information about phthalates, and other issues concerning children’s safety, please visit www.ChildSafetyTaskForce.org