CALIFORNIA AND CONSUMER SAFETY By Jake Robinson and Roy Demeter AP Gov Per. 2 By Jake Robinson and Roy Demeter AP Gov Per. 2

EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! POISONOUS CHEMICALS IN EVERYDAY PLASTIC! Would you ever knowingly endanger your newborns well being? Would you ever deliberately have them ingest scary sounding chemicals that are detrimental to their health? Of course not, but guess what, parents of the world: Chances are, you ARE. Would you ever knowingly endanger your newborns well being? Would you ever deliberately have them ingest scary sounding chemicals that are detrimental to their health? Of course not, but guess what, parents of the world: Chances are, you ARE.

New Information has come to light that many plastic products, especially those purchased for use by infants, contain harmful chemicals known as bisphenol A and phthalates The difficulty with simply removing these chemicals is that they are necessary to keep plastic light, clear, flexible, durable … and affordable.

THESE CHEMICALS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A WIDE VARIETY OF PROBLEMS  They may trigger unnatural hormonal changes  They interfere with the reproductive systems of fetuses and infants… even at low doses  They negatively affect testosterone in males, leading to abnormal growth All these negative effects of Bisphenol A and phthalates have been found in rats exposed to the chemicals, as well as infant boys of mothers with traces of the chemicals in them during pregnancy… ALL THESE FROM LOW DOSES

Think it doesn’t affect you? Think again.  Because of the widespread use of Bisphenol A and phthalates, almost every American has been exposed to them.  They’re found everywhere from baby bottles, catheters, to water bottles and car interiors.  It is estimated that 95% of Americans have detectable levels of these chemicals in their bodies  Because of the widespread use of Bisphenol A and phthalates, almost every American has been exposed to them.  They’re found everywhere from baby bottles, catheters, to water bottles and car interiors.  It is estimated that 95% of Americans have detectable levels of these chemicals in their bodies

What action is being taken??  The city of San Francisco has banned the manufacture and distribution of products with these chemicals, and the state of California has followed suit with legislation that will take effect in 2009  California is the first and only state that has successfully banned products containing more than.01% of phthalates.  Alternative chemical-free products are being developed overseas, but at considerably higher prices; regardless, sales have been booming from parents concerned with their infants well being.  The city of San Francisco has banned the manufacture and distribution of products with these chemicals, and the state of California has followed suit with legislation that will take effect in 2009  California is the first and only state that has successfully banned products containing more than.01% of phthalates.  Alternative chemical-free products are being developed overseas, but at considerably higher prices; regardless, sales have been booming from parents concerned with their infants well being.

“There are two sides to every story” The American Chemistry Council claims that the studies showing the harmful effects of these chemicals are one sided, and insufficient to prove any danger. They claim the dosage of these chemicals used in products is miniscule; much too small to cause any noticeably harmful effects in infants and fetuses

What the Federal Government Thinks  The American Medical Association has urged the FDA to require labeling of medical products with one phthalate.  The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has requested a report on phthalates by the National Academies of Science.  In the past these tests have taken several years, which would mean the federal government does not plan on any action soon.  The American Medical Association has urged the FDA to require labeling of medical products with one phthalate.  The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has requested a report on phthalates by the National Academies of Science.  In the past these tests have taken several years, which would mean the federal government does not plan on any action soon.

The Reason  The US Government has acted slow because they need to be 100% sure.  Without full testing moves have been argued by The American Chemistry Council.  The federal government does not want to deal with the problems that could come from making a rash decision.  Also has to look out for the companies until they are proven to be doing something wrong.  The US Government has acted slow because they need to be 100% sure.  Without full testing moves have been argued by The American Chemistry Council.  The federal government does not want to deal with the problems that could come from making a rash decision.  Also has to look out for the companies until they are proven to be doing something wrong.

The Reaction  Consumers and many companies feel the Government is moving too slow.  Hospitals have begun to take action on their own.  Stores such as Whole Foods have begun to take a stand for customers who are worried about the possible threat, only carrying chemical free products.  In order to meet demand more and more large companies such as Gerber, Evenflo, and Playtex have begun to offer products to please parents taking a stand.

Other Consumer Safety Issues  Currently consumer safety has become a very large issue.  Large toy companies such as Mattel have had to issue recalls due to lead found in Chinese made toys.  The people are worried about what past products might have caused.  Questions involving consumer safety have become big issues in the current presidential election and were brought up during the most recent Republican debate.

It’s Up To You Washington!  The national government is the prime regulator of foreign trade.  The national government has the ability to make a blanket law for all 50 states, so that even citizens in states that refuse to ban the chemicals are protected.  The national government is the prime regulator of foreign trade.  The national government has the ability to make a blanket law for all 50 states, so that even citizens in states that refuse to ban the chemicals are protected.

A Solution for the Future  The problem of toy imports from China shows that the current system in dealing with consumer safety is ineffective in stopping possible problems.  The federal government is better suited to protect the public from foreign products that may pose safety issues  Global commerce could be much more easily regulated by our federal government rather than each individual state.  The problem of toy imports from China shows that the current system in dealing with consumer safety is ineffective in stopping possible problems.  The federal government is better suited to protect the public from foreign products that may pose safety issues  Global commerce could be much more easily regulated by our federal government rather than each individual state.