An analysis of reports collected from children's product manufacturers in Washington, D.C., between June 1, 2012, and March 1, 2013, revealed that more than 5,000 children's products contained at least one chemical substance of high concern to the state government.
Under Washington State's Children’s Safe Products Act, manufacturers of children's products are required to submit safety reports for substances of high concern in their products. This reporting mechanism began in 2012, and the next deadline for submission was August 2013.
This analysis report lists 41 substances of very high concern found in children's products, including cadmium, mercury, cobalt, phthalates, formaldehyde, arsenic, toluene, methyl ethyl ketone, decabromodiphenyl ether (decabromodiphenyl ether), and D4 (octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane). The report indicates that the categories of children's products containing these substances of very high concern include toys, baby products, car seats, children's cosmetics, and clothing. Clothing contains the most products, followed by footwear, toys, jewelry, accessories, and baby products.
The authors of this analysis, the non-profit organizations Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer States, strongly recommend that other state governments establish mechanisms for reporting substances of high concern in products and strengthen legislation to control hazardous substances by collecting and analyzing the results, in order to ensure the health and safety of children.
Sources: Chemical Watch (2013-05-02) (Compiled by PIDC)
