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For Release, Immediate: Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Contact: Melissa Kelly, 202-527-0000

TASK FORCE APPLAUDS CONGRESS FOR PROTECTING CHILDREN

Consumer Product Safety Legislation Rejects Politics and Defends Science

Washington, DC - Child Safety Task Force President Robert Johnson issued the following statement in response to Congress’ passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040):

We commend Congress on its action to promote consumer safety by rejecting a call for a full ban on six phthalates and instead establishing an interim prohibition on DINP, DIDP and DnOP and requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to commission a Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) to review and test all plasticizers used in children’s toys. Congress has ensured that decisions on use of plasticizers in toys will be made based on science and not political whim. This is the way to best ensure our children’s safety.

The interim prohibition imposed in H.R. 4040 will allow for scientific review of all plasticizers, not just phthalates. That will provide the basis that consumers expect from their government—a determination of which toys are safe, regardless of their ingredients.

“Confidence in toy safety can only be attained through accurate scientific assessment and approval from appropriate regulatory agencies,” stated Robert Johnson, President of the Child Safety Task Force. “This legislation reinforces the CPSC’s authority to regulate chemicals used in children’s products and requires the testing of phthalates and alternative plasticizers. This latter requirement is key for consumer protection and was missing from earlier proposals.”

The CPSC spent four years studying DINP and concluded that DINP was safe for use in all children’s toys. As a result, the CPSC denied a petition to ban DINP in 2003 saying, there is “no demonstrated health risk” from its use in toys and “no justification” for banning its use. As a result, we urge the CHAP to consider an expedited review of DINP.

H.R. 4040 will establish a consumer product safety standard which will supersede state bans of toy additives. The current interim restrictions of DINP, DIDP and DnOP and the results of CPSC testing will effectively pre-empt any current and future state efforts to regulate plasticizers in kid’s toys.

“Earlier this year we petitioned the CPSC to test alternatives to phthalates and to establish a federal rule that would pre-empt state laws,” added Johnson. “We are extremely pleased with H.R. 4040 because it effectively legislates that petition on toy safety.”

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The Child Safety Task Force is a diverse alliance of organizations, scientists and consumers promoting sound science and government testing of chemicals used in children’s products. We believe that confidence in toy safety can only be attained through proven science and approval from regulatory agencies of jurisdiction. Member organizations include, California Alliance for Consumer Protection, Consumers for Competitive Choice, Consumers First, MANA:  A National Latina Organization, National Legal and Policy Center, US Mexico Chamber of Commerce. Scientists include, Dr. Bill Knowles, Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry in 2001 and Dr. Elmer Rauckman, Former Staff Scientist at the National Toxicology Program.