Soon-To-Be-Banned Plastic Toys Flooding the Market
Toymakers mount 'fire sale' of phthalate-laden children's products
There was a festive feeling among consumer advocates when Congress passed legislation over the summer that outlaws the use of phthalates -- chemicals some fear may cause reproductive defects -- in toys. But ever-inventive toymakers have a holiday surprise: a flood of phthalate-ridden toys hitting stores just in time for holiday shopping.
The ban enacted by Congress doesn't take effect until Feb. 10, so toymakers and distributors have their elves working overtime to clear out their backlog of toys containing the chemical additives that make hard plastics more flexible.
Consumer advocates and some members of Congress are outraged that toymakers and retailers are rushing to sell the contaminated toys rather than destroy them. Congress never meant to "encourage fire sales in toy stores," Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.) told The Wall Street Journal.
Full Story: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/10/plastic_toys_xmas.html
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