From:
"Dan Jacobson, Environment California Legislative Director"
<DanJ@...> 
To:
Hope4Kids2@...
Subject:
Environment California : Protect Children From Toxics
Date:
Fri, 07 Oct 2005 14:00:57 -0500
Hi Bill,

Children are among the most vulnerable members of our population, and
exposure to pollution and toxic chemicals can be particularly harmful
during their development.

A bill sponsored by Environment California, AB 319 (Chan-Oakland),
would ban two toxic chemicals that are commonly found in children's
products and are known to cause development problems. This bill, which will be
taken up by the Assembly Appropriations Committee after the Assembly
reconvenes, has been targeted for defeat by the chemical industry, the
California Chamber of Commerce and major manufacturer associations.

We need your help! Please take a moment to ask your Assemblymember to
protect children's health and support this bill. Then ask your family
and friends to help by forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
http://environmentcalifornia.org/envirocalif.asp?id=699&id4=ES


Background


As children's minds and bodies go through the delicate processes of
growing and developing, they are particularly vulnerable to chemicals that
could affect proper development. Sometimes chemical exposures can come
not only through the air we breathe and the water we drink, but through
common products used in children's daily lives. Phthalates (pronounced
"THA-lates") and bisphenol-A are two chemicals found in plastics that
are causing increasing concern because of their potential effects on
children's development and health.

AB 319 (Chan-Oakland) would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or
distribution of any toy or childcare article intended for use by a child 3
years of age or younger if that product contains bisphenol-A and any toy or
childcare article intended for use by a child under 3 years of age if
that product can be placed in the child's mouth and contains phthalates.

Phthalates are chemical substances that make some plastics soft and
flexible. Among many other things, they are used in soft plastic toys and
other baby products, such as teething rings. Phthalates can leach out
of plastic over time, making children's natural behavior - exploring
their world by putting things in their mouths - especially concerning.

Phthalates are among the most frequently found contaminants in human
bodies. Exposure has been linked to serious reproductive birth defects
(undescended testicles and malformed urinary tracts, conditions which
have doubled in baby boys in the U.S. from 1970-1993), premature
development of breast tissue, liver and kidney damage and even allergies.

Although some major manufacturers of children's products have stopped
using phthalates in the last few years as a result of health concerns,
there is no law prohibiting the chemical's use or any way for parents to
know whether a product contains phthalates.

Bisphenol-A is an industrial chemical that is used to make hard
polycarbonate plastic. It can be found in water bottles (such as some
Nalgene-brand water bottles), microwave ovenware and eating utensils, as well
as in clear plastic baby bottles. Like phthalates, bisphenol-A can leach
out of the plastic - especially when the plastic gets old and
scratched.

At even very low levels, exposure to bisphenol-A can affect our
hormones. Bisphenol-A has been linked to obesity, early onset of puberty,
learning disabilities, prostate cancer, and the genetic defect that causes
Down's syndrome.

Most major U.S. baby bottle manufacturers use bisphenol-A in their
production, and there is no law prohibiting its use.

Please take a moment to ask your Assemblymember to protect children's
health and support AB 319. Then, ask your family and friends to help by
forwarding this email to them.

To take action, click on this link or paste it into your web browser:
http://environmentcalifornia.org/envirocalif.asp?id=699&id4=ES

Sincerely,

Dan Jacobson
Environment California Legislative Director
DanJ@...
http://www.EnvironmentCalifornia.org

P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this
e-mail with your family and friends.