not a care in the world

not a care in the world

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Do your children chew on their toys?

Is chemical in plastics a problem for kids?

Alomost 99% of children toys are made of or contain plastic in them. So why are we not using the best testing methonds to ensure that the kids dont get sick from their toys? Kids and babies chew on their toys all the time... What if the toys their chewing on could make them sick, disabled, or even kill them?

No wonder consumers are so confused about the safety of chemicals in plastic.

Even federal government agencies dont agree about the hazards posed by Bisphenol A, or BPA, an estrogen-like chemical used in plastic thats been detected in the bodies of 93% of americans tested.

Two weeks ago, the National Toxicology Program said it has "some concern" that BPA alters development of the brain and prostate gland in children and babies, both before and after birth.

Yet the Food and Drug Administration says childrens current exposure levels to BPA are safe. Though the FDA considered only exposures from food packaging such as caplastic bottles and the linings of metal formula cans, BPA is used in many products from water pipes to compact discs.


Many people wonder why the two agencies- both part of the Department of Health and Human Services- have drawn such different conclusions. The differences stem partly from the controversial way that the FDA judges scientific papers.

In its draft report, the FDA says its safety decision on three experiments that followed "good laboratory practices" to ensure sound results. Those studies- all funded by industry groups that make BPA- found the chemical is safe at current exposure levels. But critics say the FDA's standard is biased and outdated, leading the agency to discount a dozen key studies that the toxicology program used to conclude that BPA may pose a threat.

Though the FDA's laboratory guidelines aim to prevent fraud by requiring detailed notes, they don't necessarily ensure good science. Independent academic researchers are performing far more sophisticated tests than the ones upon which the FDA based its decision.

Now for me this is just a start to what problems might accore... not only do our children have risks but so do our pets, and possibly even our selves....

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have been working in the plastics industry for over 20 years and i am sure as time goes on they will find a lot of hazzards in plastics. But the problem is plastics are everywhere plastic utensils and plates sippy cups even in our tv and computers and cars.And as plastic heats up it gives off toxins so think about that the next time you watch tv or go for a ride or heat up your dinner in the microwave.

John Rinehart

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize that plastic was harmfull too. I read your blog yesterday and went out today and bought wooden spoons to stir the food on the stove with. Are the pans that are used on the stove safe? What should I be using? What type of container can be used safely in the microwave to heat up foods? Any information that you or anyone else can provide for me would be greatly appreciated.
Signed "At home they call me mommy"