Raising Happy Healthy Children…Naturally!

Tsk tsk - Stop Toxics Toy Law in Jeopardy

October 27th, 2006 Posted in Bisphenol A - Pthalates issue, Non Toxic Living, This n That

Okay, here’s the deal. San Francisco became the first city in our nation to sign into law via The Stop Toxic Toys bill a ban on two toxic chemicals — phthalates and bisphenol-A. YAY..right?

Phthalates have been linked to reproductive birth defects, early onset of puberty, asthma, and reduced testosterone in boys. Bisphenol-A is a known hormone disrupter and even in low doses has been found to cause obesity, early onset of puberty, behavioral problems, reduced sperm production, increased cancer cell growth, and impaired immune function. It is used in hard plastic, as in baby bottles AND has been found to leach out into whatever is in the bottle.

Here’s the kicker, this past Wednesday a group of chemical manufacturers, toymakers, retailers and the owner of the children’s store Citikids (largest children’s dept store in San Fran) initiated a lawsuit to overthrow the ban! Yes, let us use our children as toxic punching bags and guinea pigs. I am so furious.

I am asking everyone to pass this information on and to make a statement with your dollars by avoiding those organizations and anyone associated with them. AND write them and tell them what you think of their ethics and desires to include these clearly toxic chemicals in products we expose our babies to everyday.

Here are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit;

• Citikids Baby News Store - San Francisco’s largest children’s department store;
• California Retailers Association - representing a broad base of California’s retail companies;
• California Grocers Association – representing California’s food industry, including national, statewide and independent retailers and suppliers;
• Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association - representing the manufacturers of children’s products including baby bottles and other feeding products such as cups, plates, bowls and eating utensils, teethers and pacifiers; and
• American Chemistry Council - representing the manufacturers of materials, including BPA, used to make these products.

Mr. Woo of Citikids Baby News, in a press release said in regard to the toxic chemical ban;

“The volume of our sales will drop and so will the number of our employees, since we won’t be able to keep them.”

Why not show him that his sales will drop even more if he pursues this malarcky? I’m honestly thinking of researching further to list EVERY SINGLE company associated with these organizations so we can all avoid them as much as possible. If you are interested in seeing such a list, please comment and I’ll do it.

Here’s more info on these toxic chemicals and why every industry is now having to deal with the alarming data;

http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/Policy/2006/2006-0107ab319.html

 

  1. 2 Responses to “Tsk tsk - Stop Toxics Toy Law in Jeopardy”

  2. By Kimberely on Oct 27, 2006

    Sadly, I’m not surprised. Please do unearth which stores these are, the Associations listed are so broad it would be very difficult to know exactly whom to boycott.

    I’m absolutely speechless that comments in regard to the evidence would focus around the bottom line. What will it take to get our society to stand up for our children’s future?

  3. By Richard Woo, Owner Citikids on Nov 23, 2006

    The comment that was pulled from the press release was a comment I made in response to the question posed regarding the effect the law would have on our business and sales. I understand the intent of the proposed ban on dangerous chemicals to our children, but this ordinance is not scientifically based. All testing done with phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA) has been done with dosages far greater than the levels prescribed as safe by the FDA and CPSC. The reason I am protesting this ban is not that I place a value on business over the safety of products to children, but that children (and their parents) are placed in far more danger by having to purchase these necessary products (probably one third of our store inventory) outside the City where they are readily available. The probability of getting into an automobile crash is greater than the risk of potential harm from use of currently safe and legal (everywhere except San Francisco) products.

    If the federal government could come up with some conclusive evidence that these chemicals are present in baby care items and toys in quantities necessary to do harm, then this ordinance would make some sense. The FDA, Japan, and the EU has already concluded that BPA is safe. Water bottles (think Crystal Geyser), canned food liners, faucet parts, water pipes, and just about any shatter proof clear plastic items are made of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate cannot be manufactured without BPA.

    I would hope that this clarifies my stance on this issue. Customers who frequent my store know how dedicated and passionate I am to child safety. For those who understand, I thank you for your continued business. For those people who feel I value business over safety, I beg to differ; I just feel that this ordinance is not the right one for the City at this time.

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