(Host) The Vermont has given its approval to legislation that bans the sale of baby toys that contain a group of chemicals known as phthalates. These chemicals are often used to make teething products and other toys for toddlers more flexible and durable.
House Human Services committee chairwoman Ann Pugh said the bill is needed because a number of scientific tests demonstrate that exposure to these chemicals can be harmful to young children:
(Pugh) "S-261 will ensure that manufacturers stop using phthalates in toys for young children and it means that new parents won’t have to worry about inadvertently buying toys that can harm their infants health."
(Host) Highgate Representative Norman McAllister is a member of the Human Services committee. He says he opposed the bill because he says the scientific studies aren’t conclusive. McAllister held up a small rubber duck to make his point:
(McAllister)"I got my rubber ducky here. (squeaks) It was said in one of the reports we saw that a person would have to consume 3,400 of these — not lick them or suck on them — they’d have to eat them 3,400 of them in order to have the same level. I’m thinking maybe before they got all the way through that they’d have a bowel obstruction. I’m not sure but I don’t think that’s really realistic."
(Host) Rutland Representative Peg Andrews also serves on the Human Services committee. She said the bill is needed, because while many large toy companies have agreed to stop using phthalates in their baby toys, some discount companies have not:
(Andrews) "The people that I worry about are the parents who shop at the discount stores. I mean the term generically, let’s say the dollar stores. These are products of unknown origin from off-label brands and they are more likely to come from a variety of different sources. These are the children I’d like to protect."
(Host) Similar legislation has already passed the Senate and the bill is supported by the Vermont Department of Health.