The U.S. CPSC recommends a ban on phthalates in toys
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is preparing to propose a permanent ban on five additional phthalates in children's toys and childcare products.
This ban recommendation is based on the risk study findings of the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) on 14 phthalates and 6 alternatives.
The CHAP study recommends that the addition of diisobutyl phthalate (DINP), di-n-pentyl phthalate (DnNP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DnHP), and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) to children's toys and childcare products should be permanently limited to less than 0.1%. Currently, there are no restrictions on the addition of these chemicals in the US market. However, the toxicological profiles of these chemicals are very similar to other anti-androgenic phthalates, therefore, exposure to a wide variety of similar chemicals carries a multiplied risk.
CHAP also recommended that the committee amend the short-term ban on the addition of diisononyl phthalate (DINP) at a level not exceeding 0.1% to a permanent ban.
The CPSC resolution adopted a proposal that covered most of the policy changes suggested by CHAP, except for the one concerning diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP).
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which came into effect in 2008, has enacted three bans on phthalates, including:
– 鄰苯二甲酸二乙基己酯 (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, DEHP)；
– 鄰苯二甲酸二丁酯 (dibutyl phthalate, DBP) ；
– 鄰苯二甲酸丁基苯酯 (butyl benzyl phthalate, BBP)。
The short-term bans issued by the CPSIA include:
– 鄰苯二甲酸二異壬酯 DINP；
– 鄰苯二甲酸二異癸酯 (di-isodecyl phthalate, DIDP) ；
– 鄰苯二甲酸二正辛酯 (di-n-octyl phthalate, DNOP)。
Sources: Environmental Leader (2015-01-12) (Compiled by PIDC)
