Study of Studies' Finds No Risk to Children From Phthalates in Toys

Comprehensive Review of Scientific Research Dismisses Rationale for Proposed California Toy Ban

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An exhaustive study analyzing years of scientific research has conclusively determined that a type of chemical targeted for a ban poses no risk to children when it is used in toys, according to a report released today.


Officials from the Toy Industry Association (TIA), which commissioned the report, said it disproved any justification for Assembly Bill 1108 (Ma).


Currently pending in the California Legislature, the bill seeks to ban toys using di-isononyl phthalates (DINP), the principal ingredient used to make vinyl toys soft, thereby helping reduce or eliminate potential choking hazards.


"Although well intentioned, AB 1108 is based on a contrived problem that does not exist according to the weight of international science," said Joan Lawrence, TIA's Vice President for Safety Standards and Regulatory Affairs.


"Toy safety is TIA's number one priority and we have supported the development of stringent toy safety standards throughout the world," she said. "But after exhaustive research and a thorough review of multiple international studies it is clear that toys containing DINP do not pose a risk to children's health."


The independently conducted report reviewed more than 140 separate scientific papers, studies and research documents investigating "phthalates." The analysis looked at a wide body of scientific evidence, including studies promoted by AB 1108 supporters, as well as research conducted in Japan, the Netherlands, Canada, the European Union and by a wide range of U.S. environmental and consumer agencies.


Exponent, a nationally renowned consulting firm made up of scientists, physicians, engineers, and regulatory experts who perform in-depth scientific research and analysis, conducted the study.


A summary of its 69-page report, Review and Risk Analysis of Child Exposure to Di-Isononyl Phthalate in Toys, found that:


  -- "There was no data identified that support the occurrence of
     developmental toxicity from DINP in humans." In other words, no
     negative effects on the human reproductive system were found.

  -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and other regulatory
     agencies have repeatedly determined that DINP can be safely used in
     children's toys, despite the fact that they "overestimated" the
     actual amount of exposure children might have to DINP products.

  -- Overall, the assessments "conclude that the current exposure of
     children to DINP-containing toys would pose a minimal to nonexistent
     risk of health effect."


"We commissioned this study out of an abundance of caution and as a way of taking a step back to triple-check all the research performed to date," said TIA's Lawrence. "Was there any new information? Was anything missed that would signal a legitimate risk posed by DINP? Fortunately, the answers echo previous findings that toys containing DINP are safe for children."


Based on the research, Lawrence reiterated TIA's strong opposition to AB 1108.


"There are certainly real safety and inspection issues that warrant thoughtful policy debate, but the safety of DINP is not one of them," she said.


More information may be found at http://www.toy-tia.org/. News reporters should contact Stevan Allen at (916) 448-1336 or stevan@allenstrategic.com for more information, to obtain the Exponent report or to arrange interviews.


Source: Toy Industry Association
Web Site: http://www.toy-tia.org/