The move follows the publication of a study which found that women exposed to high levels of hairspray during pregnancy were twice as likely to have babies born with hypospadias, a condition in which the urinary tract grows on the underside of the penis.

These findings have led to calls for a new EU-wide cosmetics labelling system.

High levels of phthalates, also used to soften plastics such as PVC, have been found to affect hormone levels, while parabens have been the subject of concern since 2004, when a study claimed to have detected parabens from deodorants in cancerous breast tissue.

The French government announced last week that the country’s health authorities were considering a labelling system for cosmetics that would indicate whether or not products were safe for pregnant women.

But the UK government said that the EU should address the issue as a whole, adding it to a range of changes currently being made to the European Cosmetics Directive.

North American officials haven’t discussed whether or not they have plans to follow suit with special labelling.

Related Articles:

• New Test Could Reduce The Chance Of Delivering Prematurely
• Baby Hiccups In Utero
• Study: Pregnant Women Who Do Aquarobics Have Easier Deliveries

SOURCE

Starting March 1, the Wayne-based toy retailer is setting a much tighter standard for the amount of lead allowed in toys made just for the chain.

By the end of the year, there also won’t be nickel-cadmium batteries in Toys “R” Us products — a move meant to help the environment.

This is definitely a good start! Having a big chain like Toys R Us crack down on crummy toys made from disruptive materials should have an impact on the market.

Related Articles:

• Environmentally Friendly Toys For Kids
• Another Study Suggests Some Plastic Baby Bottles Harmful
• Green to Grow BPA Free Bottles
• California Bans The Sale Of Toys Containing Phthalates

SOURCE

Green Toys has developed a line of products for kids that are made using recycled milk jugs and other environmentally friendly materials.

The company strives to minimize packaging wherever they can, and all of their boxes use as little material as possible. All Green Toys products are packaged in 100% recyclable cardboard boxes with no plastics, films or twist-ties. So, not only are they earth-friendly and ready for your recycling bin, they are really easy to open for those little fingers just itching to get at the toys!!
I had the opportunity to view the whole product line at this weeks Toy Fair in NYC.

Your little chef will love the play cookware and dining set that the company has created. The 27 piece set features a stock pot with lid, skillet, 4 plates, 4 bowls, 4 cups, and 4 place settings (fork/knife/spoon). Each piece is bright, colorful and sturdy. The color scheme matches the accompanying tea set, which will please even the youngest afternoon host.

I love what this company stands for and the principles they run with. I encourage parents to read up on how they were created and support these great products. After all it is nice to see that someone is looking out for the health of our children and the future of our planet.

Please visit the official site at Greentoys.com for more information.

Phthalates are found in many ordinary products including cosmetics, toys, vinyl flooring and medical supplies. They are used to stabilize fragrances and make plastics flexible.

These chemical have been under attack by some environmental advocacy groups, but experts are uncertain what dangers, if any, they might pose. The federal government doesn’t limit their use, although California and some countries have restricted their use.

Animal studies have suggested that phthalates can cause reproductive birth defects and some activists believe they may cause reproductive problems in boys and early puberty in girls. Rigorous scientific evidence in human studies is lacking. The current study offers no direct evidence that products the infants used contained phthalates, and no evidence that the chemicals in the babies’ urine caused any harm. Still, the results worried environmental groups that support restrictions on these chemicals.

“There is an obvious need for laws that force the beauty industry to clean up its act,” said Stacy Malkan of Health Care Without Harm.

The lead researcher, Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, said, “The bottom line is that these chemicals likely do exist in products that we’re commonly using on our children and they potentially could cause health effects.” Parents should be more proactive and read the labels of the products they are buying for their babies. You should looks for products labeled “phthalate-free,” or check labels for common phthalates, including DEP and DEHP.

I prefer to use the California Baby line for my son. They only use ingredients that are safe in all of their shampoos, lotions and sunscreens.

If you want to check if the products you are using for your children are safe, you can go to the cosmeticsdatabase.com to see the ratings.

I wish more people understood that there are so many crummy products on drugstore shelves. Not everything is created equally. A little research goes a LONG way.

SOURCE

The phthalate ban was among 80 bills the governor signed Sunday to meet a midnight deadline. The ban will take effect on January 1, 2009. Several other states are expected to follow suit.

“California continues to lead the nation in protecting children from dangerous chemicals and in safeguarding our environment,” said Assemblymember Fiona Ma, the San Francisco Democrat who authored the bill. “AB 1108 sends a clear message to the Consumer Product Safety Commission that if the Bush administration won’t act, states will.”

Phthalates are chemicals added to plastic to make it soft and flexible. Among many other things, they are used in soft plastic toys and other baby products, such as teethers, bath books, and rubber ducks.

Because phthalates are not chemically bonded to the plastic, these toxic chemicals are easily released. When children suck on these products, phthalates can leach out and enter their bodies.

“When a child puts a phthalate-laden teether in her mouth, it?s like sucking on a toxic lollypop,” said Rachel Gibson, staff attorney for Environment California. Phthalates have been shown to interfere with the natural functioning of the hormone system. These toxic chemicals have been linked to reproductive problems, early onset of puberty, liver and thyroid damage, and testicular cancer.

North America is behind the rest of the world. Fourteen countries and the European Union have already banned or are phasing out the chemical.

Related Articles:

Choosing a bottle: Some Biosphenol A Free Choices
Baby 411 Authors Take Aim At Plastic Bottles

SOURCE