(no subject)

[jillithian]

This really pisses me off:

Federal Regulators Decide Some Toys With Banned Plastics To Stay on Market.

On the front page of its Business section, the Washington Post (11/19, D1, Shin) reports, "A new federal ban on the use of the controversial chemical phthalate in teethers, pacifiers and other children's products won't apply to goods already in warehouses or on store shelves," the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said on Tuesday. Under the decision, "it will be illegal to sell products made after the ban takes effect Feb. 10 that contain certain types of phthalates, chemicals used in soft plastic that have been linked to reproductive problems." The ban, "passed in August as part of a landmark product safety law, is supposed to remain in effect until a panel finishes a scientific review of phthalates." But, according to "consumer advocates and several Hill staffers who worked on the provision," the "decision violates the intent of the law." Consumer advocates also claim that "the decision will cause confusion for consumers," asking, "How will parents know whether the rubber ducky they're buying was made today and not in March?" Notably, "the decision came as a relief to makers of children's products...who faced the prospect of having to test products and components at great expense."

This directly means that they are putting money in front of children's health. And that's just WRONG.