EU Parliament bans plastic softeners in toys

In 1999, the EU imposed a temporary ban on chemicals used in soft toys that can have health risks. Up until now, that temporary ban had to continually be renewed. The ban has now been made permanant.

eubusiness

The European Parliament today sent a clear signal in favour of children's health by permanently banning the use of phthalates, plastic softeners used in children's toys.

Three phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP), will be banned in all toys and childcare articles and three others (DINP, DIDP, DNOP) in all toys and childcare article which are likely to be placed in the mouth of children.

Scientific studies have identified phthalates as endocrine (hormone) disrupters and linked the use of phthalates to allergy and asthma.

This is really good news and I hope other countries also ban this group of chemicals in toys.

Here's a thread on phthalates from May 2005:
Common chemicals called phthalates can lead to smaller penises

A related ASTNN article:
SCI/TECH: Phthalates Proven Harmful to Testes