debbie downer strikes again -- toxins in plastic toys!

So it turns out that most of the fun bath toys and teething toys they make for babies are made of PVC, which contains, among other things, phthalates. Phthalates are "plasticizers" that are added to soft plastic toys (as well as tires, shoe soles, etc) to keep them soft. These chemicals can leach out and enter the body, and have been linked to cancer and kidney damage.

In addition to phthalates, heavy metals like lead and cadmium are added to make the more rigid type of PVC used in older kids' toys. Like phthalates, these chemicals can also leach out and cause damage.

There are lots of alternatives to PVCs, including polypropylene, polyethylene, EPM, EPDM, EVA, bio-based plastics, and of course wood and textiles. So babies and kids can still have lots of toys without the toxins. Unfortunately, it seems to be rare that toy packaging indicates exactly what the product is made of ... so it might be handy to have a list of manufacturers of PVC-free toys ... like this one from the Oregon Toxics Alliance:

• Small World Toys (makes PVC-free teething toys and “Gertie” balls)
• Early Start
• BRIO Corporation
• APRICA Kassai Incorporated
• Lamaze Infant Development
• Little Tikes (Rubbermaid)
• Ravensburger
• Turner Toys
• Lego Toys

In addition, soft PVC toys made in Austria, France, Greece, Norway, Mexico, and Sweden should be at least free of phthalates, since those countries have banned phthalates for that purpose.

A little more info here. YouTube video of protest against Target with giant inflatable PVC-free rubber ducky here.

Fetal Activism!

The Washington State Legislature is considering whether to ban PBDEs -- toxic chemicals used as flame retardants in everything from televisions to car seats.

Washington Toxics Coalition is collecting pictures to persuade state senators to vote for the ban, which the state house approved 71-24. This was our submission.

27 Weeks

We got the camera working in time for our weekly visit to the beautiful Kubota Gardens, a block from our house.