Government studies have proven the prohibited phthalates are safe while their alternatives remain untested
This week’s story on NPR’s Morning Edition (“Public Concern, Not Science, Prompts Plastics Ban”) reveals that government scientists are confident that the phthalates used in children’s toys are safe. While it was important that the ban on phthalates contained in the Consumer Product Safety Act (CPSIA) was temporary, it is even more clear that any ban was unnecessary. The Child Safety Task Force also is most concerned that the temporary ban on high molecular weight phthalates (DINP, DIDP, and DnOP) could actually increase risk to children because it replaces a safe and tested substance with untested alternatives.
The CPSIA called for a review of all phthalates and their alternatives through a Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP). The CPSC should expedite the CHAP process to clear up the confusion created by the new law.
“We believe that confidence in toy safety can only be attained through proven science and approval from regulatory agencies of jurisdiction,” said Child Safety Task Force President Bob Johnson. “Government agencies like the CPSC have testified that these phthalates are safe, but they cannot offer this guarantee on their alternatives. None of the probable phthalate alternatives have been tested by a U.S. government agency.”
The comments made by CSPC scientist, Marilyn Wind, NPR’s report affirms the safety of the high-molecular weight phthalates. Wind emphasizes that previous CPSC testing proved that DINP was safe and that the science clearly indicated “We could not ban DINP because there was not a risk of injury to children.”
Congress considered the science and as a result put only a temporary prohibition on the high-molecular weight phthalates due to their high safety record. The CPSC will issue a final ruling on these phthalates upon completion of a CPSC Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) review of these compounds and their alternatives.
“We are confident that the safety of these phthalates will be upheld in the upcoming CHAP review, but it is important that we make sure all chemicals present in our children’s toys are held to the same standard of safety,” said Johnson. “We must encourage swift implementation of the CHAP and more extensive testing of the alternative plasticizers in order to ensure that safe products remain on the market.”
