The CPSC report states that “there may be a risk of health
effects from DINP exposure for any young children who routinely
mouth DINP-plasticized toys for 75 minutes/day or more.” In
addition Greenpeace had a wide variety of PVC products tested from
around the world, finding significant amounts of DINP, as high as
33%.
The CPSC report released today was conducted because of a 1997
Greenpeace report exposing chemical phthalate DINP in children’s
toys. At that time, Greenpeace called on the CPSC to ban PVC toys.
One June 6th, Greenpeace petitioned CPSC to recall vinyl home
products.
“The health and safety of children should be paramount and in
the case of uncertainty, the CPSC should err on the side of
children, not chemicals.” said Dr. Mary Elizabeth Harmon,
Greenpeace staff scientist.
The new Greenpeace testing results found a range of toxic
additives in products from vinyl mattress pads to vinyl flooring.
The results demonstrate that due to the wide variety of
additive-laden vinyl products in a home, a family is exposed daily
to multiple sources that exceed the exposure from any single
product.
The Greenpeace testing was conducted by independent laboratories
in the US and Germany. Fifty-four products from 20 countries were
analyzed and a range of additives were found, primarily phthalates
and organotins, but also lead, cadmium and bisphenol A.
The chemicals found in the products are highly toxic. Some
phthalates cause liver cancer, kidney damage and reproductive
system impairment in animals. Organotins cause immune and
reproductive damage in animals. Some of the products tested
contained bisphenol A, a chemical that interferes with the hormone
system.
Name brands tested include: Gerber, Carter’s, Graco, Armstrong
and Mannington.
