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Washington State Gets Tough with Chemicals in Children’s Products

EMSL Analytical provides lead, formaldehyde, bisphenol A, phthalates and other testing services to ensure products meant for children are safe.


WEBWIRE

Cinnaminson, NJ
 
Last week, The Seattle Times published an article about a new state law in Washington that requires manufacturers of children’s product to report harmful chemicals.  According to the article, state officials have come up with 66 chemicals that would trigger the need for manufacturers to report their presence to state officials.
 
The children’s products include toys, cosmetics, jewelry and other baby products that are likely to be placed in children’s mouths or skin.  The law exempts retailers who sell, but don’t make or import the products.  The rule requires large manufacturers of these products to report to the state by next August and smaller manufacturers will be phased in over the coming years.
 
Many of the 66 materials that require notification to the state are well documented health concerns for children.  Bisphenol A, phthalates and formaldehyde all made the list.
 
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been present in many hard plastic bottles and metal-based food and beverage cans since the 1960s. Studies employing standardized toxicity tests have thus far supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to BPA.  However, on the basis of results from recent studies using novel approaches to test for subtle effects, both the National Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health and FDA have some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children.”  Regarding phthalates the FDA reports, “Infants, like all consumers, are exposed daily to phthalates from a number of sources, including air, drugs, food, plastics, water, and cosmetics. We are currently beginning a survey of infant/children cosmetic products to determine the levels of phthalates so we can more accurately assess infant exposure.”
 
“EMSL Analytical, a leading provider of consumer product testing services, supports Washington’s position on ensuring products sold in the state are safe for children,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical.   “Research has shown us time and again that young children are more sensitive to exposure to many chemicals that are commonly used in today’s society.  Testing these products to ensure minimal exposure will help to safeguard our children.”
 
EMSL Analytical recently sponsored an education video about formaldehyde, a commonly used chemical in household products, and risks of exposure in the home.  It can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yD4pTC8GVpE
 
For information about consumer product testing or other testing services please visit www.ConsumerProductTesting.com or www.EMSL.com, email info@EMSL.com or call (800) 220-3675.
 
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of quality environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.



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 Washington Seattle Times
 Children’s Products
 66 harmful chemicals
 formaldehyde lead
 USFDA BPA


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