The Stop Toxic Toys bill, which would ban two
toxic chemicals—phthalates and bisphenol-A—from children’s toys and feeding
products, passed the San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 23rd,
in an 11-0 vote.
Phthalates (pronounced thay-lates) often used in
soft PVC plastic children’s toys, have been linked to reproductive
birth
defects, early onset of puberty, asthma, and reduced testosterone in
boys. If signed into law, San Francisco would become the first city in
the country to ban these
chemicals. The European Union and at
least twelve countries have passed bans or restrictions on the use of
phthalates in products for small children.
Bisphenol-A, a known hormone disruptor, is a
common ingredient in hard plastic baby bottles and has been shown to leach out
of the plastic, especially in older bottles. Even at very low doses it has been linked to obesity,
early onset of puberty, behavioral problems, reduced sperm production,
increased cancer cell growth, and impaired immune function.
“Many parents would be shocked to learn that the plastic
baby bottle they’re giving their child could damage their health. When you look at the science behind these
chemicals, there is no question that they ought to be banned from baby
products,” said Supervisor Fiona Ma, the author of the San Francisco bill.
“We cannot allow toxic chemicals to be used in
products for young children, especially those specifically designed to be put
into their mouths,” said Rachel Gibson, Staff Attorney for Environment
California. Environment California was the sponsor of California legislation—AB 319 (Chan)—that would have imposed a
statewide restriction on the use of phthalates and bisphenol-A in children’s
toys and feeding products. “The California legislature failed to take appropriate action this year
when it had the opportunity to do so. We
applaud the San Francisco Board of Supervisors for taking this significant step
to protect our most vulnerable population.”
Supervisors Ma, Maxwell, Alioto-Pier, Ammiano, and
McGoldrick co-authored the San Francisco Stop Toxic Toys bill. The final reading of the bill is June 6,
after which it goes to Mayor Gavin Newsom for his signature or veto.
