TOXICS INFORMATION PROJECT (TIP)

Liberty Goodwin, Director

P.O. Box 40441, Providence, RI 02940

Tel. 401-351-9193, E-Mail: TIP@toxicsinfo.org

Website: www.toxicsinfo.org

(Lighting the Way to Less Toxic Living)

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED TO PROTECT KIDS IN RHODE ISLAND

FROM TOXIC CHEMICALS IN THEIR TOYS & OTHER PRODUCTS!

The lead recalls were just the tip of the iceberg. We must act now to avoid harm to any more children!

SUPPORT THE CHILDREN’S PRODUCT SAFETY ACT

H7812 has been moved to the RI House Finance Committee.

It is urgent that they vote it out so it can be considered by the full House this year!

AND LEARN WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO FOR SAFER KIDS!

WHAT ARE THE FACTS?

**Phthalates and Bisphenol-A are chemicals known to be present in many toys and products made for use by children.

**Studies have shown that these chemicals leach out of products during use, and especially when heated. Young children are exposed by inhalation of fumes - and by mouthing and chewing toys and drinking from baby bottles and sippy cups.

**Studies have also indicated that these chemicals are endocrine disrupters that are associated, even at extremely low doses, with a variety of reproductive and other health effects in animals. These include obesity, diabetes, thyroid disease, autism, breast cancer, prostate cancer and other illnesses. See: www.ehponline.org/members/2003/6601/6601.html

**Concerns about possible effects of BPA in humans, due to its being an estrogen mimicker, include early puberty and possible later breast cancer in girls and other reproductive abnormalities in boys, including possible low testosterone levels. Phthalates have been connected with liver and hormonal damage.

**A study at the University of Missouri-Columbia showed that mice fed Bisphenol-A during early development - at lower amounts than what would have resulted in the levels found in most people in the CDC study - become markedly more obese as adults than those that weren't fed the chemical. Tufts University scientists observed similar phenomenon in rats.

WHY ACT NOW ON THIS BILL? Ask yourself these questions: If a significant number of respected scientists think that neurological and/or reproductive harm can be done to children by these chemicals, is it justifiable to continue to allow this exposure? Are our kids appropriate guinea pigs - test subjects?

WHY NOT ACCEPT CHEMICAL & TOY INDUSTRY SAFETY CLAIMS? Ask yourself who is the more plausible source of information - those who make millions of dollars selling products as now formulated - or those with no benefit from keeping business as usual? In 2005 Dr. Frederick Vom Saal, professor of biology at the University of Missouri found that 100% of studies funded or carried out by industry purported to find no harm from BPA - but 100% of those done by independent researchers found cause for serious concern - and some pointed to serious flaws in industry findings.

SHOULDN’T THIS BE ACTED UPON AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL? Absolutely! However, do you really expect that to happen soon? According to a recent report, the Consumer Product Safety Commission now has 15 employees, down from several hundred, years ago. They have great responsibilities - which don’t include testing and regulation of toys before they are sold in the U.S. Even if action is taken this year - a big IF - no protection can be in place at the federal level for a long time. It’s good to contact your congressman, and ask him to support the Feinstein amendment to ban phthalates in the CPSC bill - but realize that the kids can’t wait. Personal and RI actions are needed now.

CONCLUSION It makes no sense to continue to expose children to chemicals that raise such serious questions when alternatives are readily available and in use around the world. The European Union and other countries have found this concern important enough to restrict the use of phthalates. Bills were passed in 2007 in California, and in March and April 2008 by Washington and Maine), and are making their way through the MA & CT legislatures. Do we want to be the state in which NOT to buy toys? Our level of protection for the young and vulnerable in Rhode Island should be equal to that elsewhere. We must act now to protect RI children!

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WHAT CAN I DO?

****SIGN THE OPEN LETTER TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY to Protect Kids In Rhode Island From Toxic Chemicals In Their Toys & Other Products! (Sign Online at www.toxicsinfo.org/legislation.htm)

**CALL (Most Effective) OR E-MAIL THE RI HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE: This is a state-wide concern and consumer issue. Even if your own Representative is not on Finance, let them know you want safe products in RI! TELL THE COMMITTEE TO VOTE OUT THE BILL SO THE ENTIRE GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY VOTE ON IT! THEN TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS TO VOTE YES ON H7812!

District 8 Providence Rep. Steven M. Costantino (CHAIR) 521-1313,

Dist. 10 ProvidenceRepresentative Thomas C. Slater, 461-4554

Dist. 12 Providence Representative Joseph S. Almeida, 467-7033

Dist. 17 Cranston Representative Robert B. Jacquard, 943-7799

Dist. 21 Warwick Representative Eileen S. Naughton, 738-7928

Dist. 28 Coventry Representative Victor G. Moffitt, 821-1299

Dist. 31 Exeter, North Kingstown Representative Kenneth Carter, 294-9183

Dist. 35 South Kingstown Representative John Patrick Shanley, 789-9055

Dist. 37 Westerly Representative Peter L. Lewiss, 596-9951

Dist. 41 Cranston, Scituate Representative Carol A. Mumford, 647-3251

Dist. 48 Burrillville, North Smithfield Representative Raymond C. Church, 762-1875

Dist. 58 North Providence, Pawtucket Representative William San Bento, Jr., 727-0276

Dist. 62 East Providence, Pawtucket Representative Eilizabeth M. Dennigan, 434-8525

Dist. 63 East Providence, Pawtucket Representative Henry C. Rose, 435-5921

Dist. 65 East Providence, Representative John A. Savage, 437-0466

Dist. 73 Middletown, Newport, Representative J. Russell Jackson, 848-7979

ALL RI HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE E-MAILS

**OTHER WAYS TO SPEAK OUT: Write A Letter To The Editor About This Concern. Call A Toy Manufacturer And Ask Them About Eliminating These Chemicals In Their Line And Abiding By European Union Standards Everywhere - Including The U.S.

**BE A SMART CONSUMER: Tell The Manager Of A Store Where You Buy Toys That You Want Phthalate-Free Products And Baby Bottles Without Bisphenol-A. SEEK OUT Toys With The “CE” Symbol On Box Or Product - Indicating Compliance With The Stricter European Union Standard. When Buying Plastic Items, AVOID Those With Recycling # 3, 6, Or 7.

For assistance in taking any of these actions and more information, Contact Liberty Goodwin, Director, Toxics Information Project (TIP), Providence, RI, Tel. 401-351-9193,

E-Mail: liberty@toxicsinfo.org Also visit: www.toxicsinfo.org/TIPS_kids.htm

for articles about toxic toys and other environmental connections to health effects in children.