AB 319: Toxic Toys: no laughing matter

Unlike most developed nations, the U.S. and California have no systematic program to identify chemicals used in commerce that may have harmful effects on human health. In the absence of government oversight, independent scientific studies have identified chemicals that mimic sexual hormones and disrupt the endocrine system. One of those chemicals is bisphenol-A, which is frequently used in many plastic products designed for infants and children, including baby bottles, pacifiers and toys. AB 319 (Chan) would have prohibited the use of bisphenol-A in toys and other products designed for children under three years of age.