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Hazardous Chemicals in Plastics

Hazardous Chemicals in Plastics. By Michael Lee and Justin Schwartz. Phthalates. Makes plastics soft and flexible Used in toys, baby bottles, and medical tubing Can cause hormonal changes that can hamper development of male reproductive organs May damage liver, kidney, and lungs.

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Hazardous Chemicals in Plastics

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  1. Hazardous Chemicals in Plastics By Michael Lee and Justin Schwartz

  2. Phthalates • Makes plastics soft and flexible • Used in toys, baby bottles, and medical tubing • Can cause hormonal changes that can hamper development of male reproductive organs • May damage liver, kidney, and lungs

  3. Bisphenol A • Makes plastics clear, strong, and shatter resistant • Used in food containers, baby bottles, dental fillings • Can lead to lowered sperm count, infertile sperm, breast cancer, or neural and behavioral effects

  4. Statistics • In 2000 the U.S. Centers for Disease for Control and Prevention found phthalates in the urine of 75% of people tested • 95% of Americans show signs of bisphenol A in their system

  5. California’s Action • Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger ratified a law that bans products made for young children to have more than .001% of phthalates beginning in 2009 • First state to ban phthalates

  6. Opposition to Banning Chemicals • Maryland is the only other state to have proposed this ban, but the measure was rejected • Chemical and toy industries have lobbied against the ban

  7. Federal Action • In 2002, FDA recommended alternatives to phthalates in medical procedures for newborn boys, pregnant women, and boys entering puberty • Other federal agencies have been indecisive or reluctant to impose any precautionary measures due to commercial motives

  8. Federal or State Issue? • Federal government should warn against, or at least limit, phthalates and bisphenol A in plastics • States should have the right to impose stricter restrictions or ban these chemicals completely if they choose

  9. Problems with Chinese Toys • Numerous deaths have made people more aware of dangerous chemicals in common products • Federal government has become more involved on the issue – proposed Hazardous Products Act • Better testing, more rigorous standards for all plastics imports

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