A
study by a national consumer group says some baby products contain two
chemicals that could harm your child, but a toy industry group calls
the claim "baseless."
The
chemicals are phthalates, which are used to soften plastic, and PBDEs,
which are used to make sleeper products flame-retardant. The chemicals
are found in items such as soft plastic toys and bedtime products.
A
study by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group shows a majority of
sleep products and soft plastic toys contained the chemicals.
The
group alleges labels do not accurately disclose that, and it is calling
on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to require labeling.
According to U.S. PIRG, the chemicals can create future health problems, including reproductive defects.
"There's
a growing body of evidence that shows there may be no safe dose of
these chemicals in products. And unfortunately, right now, the way that
these products are regulated, it's very difficult to tell whether these
chemicals may be present in the products you're buying," said Matt
Auten, a Rhode Island PIRG advocate
A toy industry group has said U.S. PIRG's findings are "baseless."
"Children
are not at risk when they play with toys softened with phthalates ...
U.S. PIRG needlessly frightened parents with a threat that does not
exist," a statement from the Toy Industry Association said.
A chemical industry group also disputes U.S. PIRG's claims.
"The
CPSC ... has found there's a minimal to nonexistent risk to children"
when phthalates are used," Marian Stanley of the American Chemistry
Council said in a statement.
Parents are left to decide whether to use the products.
