Ensuring Non-toxic Toys
In February 2009, thanks in no small part to the Breast Cancer Fund's advocacy, a federal ban on phthalates in toys went into effect.
The ban, a provision of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, protects children from these plastic-softening chemicals, which have been linked to breast cancer, decreased sperm counts, birth defects and other health problems.
In three months, we mobilized a broad national coalition of more than 60 groups from around the country, including the National Council of Churches, the American Nurses Association and MomsRising. The coalition organized press events, activated their constituencies and worked to counteract aggressive lobbying by the chemical industry. The result? The near-unanimous passage of the first federal ban on phthalates in toys.
Learn more about the science linking phthalates to breast cancer.Chemical facts: phthalates >
The legislation marks an important step toward reforming the way chemicals are regulated in the United States. It represents the first time Congress has taken a precautionary approach, setting the stage for comprehensive chemical policy reform.
But the tough work is not over. Now the Breast Cancer Fund is working hard to make sure the law is fully and effectively implemented, as Congress intended.