CPSC Advisory Body Recommends New Bans on Phthalates in Children's Products

An advisory panel to the Consumer Product Safety Commission recommended new bans on certain phthalates in toys in a July 18 report. The Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel says the phthalates diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), di-n-pentyl phthalate (DPENP), di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHEXP), and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) should be permanently banned in toys and child care products because of the health risks they pose to children. It also called for an interim ban on diisooctyl phthalate. The advisory panel recommended leaving most existing bans on phthalates in children’s products in place, except interim bans on di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), which it said don’t merit prohibitions because a low risk that humans will be exposed to harmful doses.