Danish govt moves to ban phthalates in toys

["Charlie Cray" <ccray@dialb.greenpeace.org>]

Over a week ago, Bill Caroll wrote that "phthalates are not toxic. Period." 
I posted a long response.  As further grist for the mill, I now pass along the
news thatlast Thursday the Danish Minister for the Environment has 
asked his EPA  to initiate a ban on phthalates in toys, which 
includes other initiatives on  children & chemical exposure 
generally.

Here is the translation of the  Ministry news release:

Ministry for the Environment and Energy

27.  November 1997
Auken wants to forbid hazardous substance in toys

Danish Minister for the Environment and Energy Svend Auken, today 
asked the EPA to work out a proposal for a ban on toys for smaller 
children containing phthalates. Concurrently he has asked the EPA to 
make a report/review showing how children can be protected better 
against chemicals. 

The EPA has earlier this year - at two occasions - analysed teethers 
for migration of different softeners- the so called phthalates. The 
analyses showed that several of the teethers released phthalates at 
unacceptable levels. The retailers withdrew the teethers from the 
market. 

"We live in a society, where large amounts of chemicals are 
used which also affects our children. They are more vulnerable and 
are in contact with the products in another way than adults. 
Therefore the security of  the products harmlessness to children must 
be extra big" says Danish Minister for the Environment and Energy, 
Svend Auken 

" I have therefore asked the EPA to make a report/review 
on the need and possibilities to increase the protection of children 
against chemicals. His could for example be increased control of 
toys, limits for pollution in soil, , quality demands for swimming 
pools, chemicals substances in clothes, wood preservatives for 
sandpits and contents of chemicals in hygiene products and cosmetics 
for children. The review will be co-ordinated with other ministries 

"When it comes to phthalates in toys for smaller children, I will 
already now ask the EPA to prepare a law proposal for a ban. Ever 
since the problem with the phthalates showed up, the industry has 
made enormous efforts on trying to dismiss all problems instead of 
developing more health- and environmentally friendly materials. It is 
time to act." 

In January 1998 Svend Auken will present a number of concrete 
initiatives to reduce and phase out the use of phthalates on other 
areas. 

Further information
Assistant Director, EPA, Niels Juul Jensen (+45 32660156)
Heaf of office, EPA, Lisbet Seedorf (+45 32660280)
 
-- End --
Charlie Cray
Greenpeace US Toxics Campaign
847 W. Jackson Blvd., 7th floor
Chicago, IL 60607
Ph: (312) 563-6063
Fax: (312) 563-6099
Note new e-mail address: Charlie.Cray@dialb.greenpeace.org