group asks to prevent illegal dumping of toys

 

Waste and pollution watchdog, EcoWaste Coalition, called on the Bureau of Customs to prevent entry of banned toys to the United States that could result in illegal dumping in this country, according to Business Mirror Online.

On February 10th a long awaited ban will be placed in children’s toys under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.  As a result, many fear that millions of non-compliant toys will be dumped illegally unless some preventative measures are taken.

The new definitions of unsafe toys include new levels on lead an phthalates.  Lead will now be restricted to 600ppm. Lead, a heavy metal, is known to be a neurotoxin that can cause damage to the central nervous system, particularly in children.  A new level of no more than 0.1% of three types of phthalates will also go into effect.  Phthalates are hormone mimickers and are used in the synthesis of plastics.  The new law also requires third party mandatory testing.

Aside the fact that many toys currently in the country will be dumped, there is also the fear that toys that do not meet the requirements will be brought in illegally through a black market trade and parents will be unaware of what they are purchasing.  EcoWaste is calling on all regulatory agencies to create policy that will prevent this from happening.

 

For more information on phthalates and other chemicals that effect children’s health, you may find more in the Golden Spiral section: HERE