Last week we hosted an event to test toys and holiday gifts for toxic chemicals. We do these events across Michigan and inevitably find some nasty chemical in one or more toys. At this particular event a mother of two came in carrying a large bag of her four-year-old son’s treasured items.  She came to our event because her son’s blood lead levels recently came back at 10ug, a level at which most pediatricians recommend caution. She hired a lead assessor to test to lead in her home. She threw out the dishes that tested high for lead, and was even planning to remove her bathtub.

Then she told me she felt like a bad mom. Nothing could be further from the truth. Parents go to extreme measures to protect their children from hazards. But we can’t protect our children if we don’t have access to the information we need to do so.

This month parents across the country have access to a little more information that they need to keep their kids safe. On December 13th, a report was released that, for the first time, identifies more than 650 brand name products that contain two hormone-disrupting toxic chemicals.  Based on new industry data, the report names plastic toys, such as PLAYMOBIL play figures and Chicco baby rattles, which contain BPA (or bisphenol A), the same toxic chemical already banned in plastic baby bottles and sippy cups.  The report revealed another toxic ingredient, known as NPEs, in nearly 300 household paints, as well as several cleaners, wood finishes and home maintenance products.

We’ve posted a fully searchable listing of every brand name product reported to contain BPA or NPEs on our website www.HealthyStuff.org.

The report, Poison in Paint, Toxics in Toys, was released by the Environmental Health Strategy Center (Maine) and summarizes the first chemical use reports submitted by product manufacturers under a new state chemical safety law passed in Maine.  Similar state laws go into effect in Washington and California next year, as Congress lags behind in reforming the outdated federal Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.

Studies have shown that BPA and NPEs (nonylphenol ethoxylates) mimic the sex hormone estrogen.  BPA harms brain development, behavior and the prostate gland, among many other adverse health effects.  NPEs are highly toxic to aquatic life, degrade into a long-lived chemical that builds up in the food chain, and may harm reproduction and development in humans.  Aggregate exposure to BPA and NPEs from all sources threatens the health of children, workers and the environment.

We’re working with our colleagues across the country to give families the protections and information they need to protect their families. But we need your help. Please take a moment to call your Senators and ask them to protect families from harmful chemicals. It only takes a few minutes and we’ve even provided you with a phone script to make it very easy.

Take action now!

Wishing you a happy holidays and a healthy New Year!

Becca Meuninck
Environmental Health Campaign Director
Ecology Center