Groups push wider plastic additive ban

Published 10:55 pm Tuesday, October 16, 2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — One day after California became the first state in the nation to ban toys containing toxic plastic softeners, supporters of the measure announced plans to help at least nine other states — including Washington — enact similar laws.

Widely used in a variety of consumer products, ­phthalates are a family of chemicals most often used as a softener of plastic.

Researchers say regular contact with phthalates — chewing on plastic toys containing the chemicals, for example — may cause hormonal damage in young children and increase the chances of serious illness later in life, including breast cancer.

The California ban will prohibit manufacturers from selling products containing phthalates in California in any item intended for use by children under the age of 3.

Industry groups continue to maintain that phthalates are safe.