The concern over phthalates has been around since the inception of TSCA, as the regulatory commentary below shows.
"TSCA Interagency Testing Committee Actions Related to Phthalates"
Environmental Health Perspectives. 1982, Vol. 45, pp. 135-136.
Environmental Health Perspectives. 1982, Vol. 45, pp. 135-136.
Recently there has been an increasing debate on how much, if any, of this chemical should be allowed in household materials. Below are some recent articles discussing the hazards and occurrences of phthalates.
By: Pete Harrison
Reuters
Oct 18, 2010
Imagine a child sitting in his classroom, gazing through the window at the rain. He picks up his pencil and chews distractedly on the eraser at its top. Chemicals, classed in Europe as "toxic to reproduction," dissolve in his saliva and enter his body.
It's a scenario that may not be unusual. A report published last week by a consortium of 140 environment groups shows that potentially risky chemicals are present in dozens of everyday plastic items for sale by European retailers -- from shoes to erasers, from pencil cases to sex toys.
For the complete article click HERE.
"Enviro Groups Press for Expanded EPA Oversight of Household Toxins"
By: Elana Schor
Greenwire via NY Times
October 19, 2010
Seeking fresh momentum in their push for stronger federal toxics law, environmental groups today are homing in on a nearly universal path of human exposure to chemicals: the home.
A new report by the Ecology Center, a member of the broader coalition lobbying for greater U.S. EPA power over hazardous substances, found that household flooring made with vinyl is nearly twice as likely as non-PVC tiles to contain detectable levels of chemicals such as lead, cadmium and chlorine. Separate tests found some flooring brands carried elevated levels of phthalates, controversial plastic additives, that were banned in children's items in 2008.
For the complete article click HERE.
"Chemicals in Vinyl Flooring and Wallpaper Raise Worries"
Tests of home-improvement products find high levels of phthalates.
By: Linda Carroll
msnbc.com
10/19/2010
Some of the very chemicals that Congress banned from children’s toys and child care products in 2009 are found in flooring and wallpaper products sold across the U.S., a new report claims.
Researchers from a nonprofit environmental group called the Ecology Center tested more than 2,000 wallpapers and floor coverings for toxic substances. Along with low levels of some heavy metals, such as cadmium and lead, the researchers discovered significant levels of phthalates, a hormone-like chemical.
For the complete article click HERE.
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