by Sarah Varney

Morning Edition, February 12, 2009 · A new federal law took effect this week banning chemicals called phthalates in children’s toys and other kids’ products. While the ban was hailed as a victory for children’s health, it’s no guarantee that the products are safe.

That’s because companies currently aren’t required to publicly disclose the chemicals they use in place of phthalates – and little is known about the health effects of one of the most widely used alternatives.

Phthalates have long been used as a way to make plastic soft and flexible. But the chemicals can leach out of plastic products and enter our bodies, where some scientists suspect they act like hormones. Phthalates have been shown to affect the development of the male reproductive system in lab animals, and a few small studies suggest they may be linked to subtle effects in the reproductive organs of infant boys.

To view the entire article, please visit: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100038395&ft=1&f=1001