Sand and Water Toys

A Recent Newspaper Article concerning Phthalates and BPA 

Health concerns focus on two components in Plastics

Two chemicals pose major problems:BPA and phthalates.

     The chemical that's grabbing all the recent headlines is bisphenol A - BPA for short.  It's a synthetic estrogen - like the hormone - and has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and behavoral and reproductive problems.

     Scientists worry that developing fetuses and children younger than 6 are particularly vulnerable.

     Canada is planning to ban BPA in children's products.  Consumer groups are calling for a ban in the U.S. and Food and Drug Administration recently agreed to reconsider the issue.

     BPA is found in hard plastic products like baby bottles and sports bottles and in the linings of metal cans for food, soft drinks and beer.  It's also in eyeglasses, bike helmets, CD cases and, well, just about everywhere.

     The other buzz word lately is phthalates (the "ph" is silent), additives that make plactic more flexible.  Phthalates have been linked to reproductive problems and have been falling out of favor for several years (remember the great teether panic of 1999). 

      The U.S. recently began banning several phthalates in children's products, but some phthalates are still being used and they still lurk in older toys, as well as scented soaps, lotions and cosmetics.

                                                                           - McClatchy Newspapers