By Kevin Herrera
Daily Press Staff Writer

DOUGLAS PARK Parents who are concerned about the safety of their children’s toys called on the governor to pass a law prohibiting toy manufacturers from using a chemical to soften plastics commonly found in teething rings and bath books for babies.

The state legislature recently passed AB 1108, which will require all child care products and toys sold in California for children to be free of chemicals called phthalates, which interfere with the natural function of the hormone system and have been linked to lowered sperm counts, early onset of puberty, testicular cancer and liver problems.

The bill is awaiting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s signature. He has until Oct. 18 to act on the legislation. A spokesman from his office said the governor has not yet made a decision on AB 1108.

“When a child puts a phthalate-laden teether in their mouth, it’s like sucking on a toxic lollipop,” said Rachel Gibson, a mother and staff attorney for Environment California, who joined parents, Assembly-woman Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco), and representatives from The Breast Cancer Fund and Healthy Child, Healthy World in their call for the bill’s passage.

“We hope the governor will stand up for our kids and ban these dangerous products,” Ma said.

Much attention has been paid to children’s toys recently following announcements by Mattel in August which warned parents about three major recalls of toys — including various Barbie accessories — from China because of excessive amounts of lead.

The Walt Disney Company announced Monday that it plans to independently conduct safety tests on toys featuring its characters, company officials said. A recall by Mattel earlier this summer involved some 436,000 cars based on “Sarge,” a character in the Disney movie, “Cars,” which were believed to contain lead paint.

Analysts said the move demonstrates companies’ eagerness to insulate their brands from product safety fears as the holiday gift-giving season approaches.

In response to calls for a ban on phthalates, the Toy Industry Association and the American Chemistry Council defended the use of the chemical in the manufacturing of toy products.

In a statement released Monday, representatives from the two groups said that phthalates have been “thoroughly studied” and found to be safe for use in children’s products by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

“We are all genuinely concerned about the need to protect the health of children. But the reasons for adopting AB 1108 are entirely unfounded,” the statement said. “A ban on ingredients that have been thoroughly evaluated and found to be safe by government regulators will do nothing to address the recent issues with product safety and toy recalls and it will not serve to improve the health of children.

“The practical effort of this ban could even be to increase the risk harming children’s health and safety.”

Joan Lawrence, a vice president with the Toy Industry Association, said the principal phthalate used in toys actually protects children by making the plastic soft and pliable, preventing the toys from cracking or breaking into tiny pieces that can be ingested or cause a child to choke.

“We would prefer that this debate be done by scientists who know and understand the science, not politicians,” Lawrence said. “(AB 1108) ignores sound science.”

Advocates for the ban said children’s toys are just the first products to be targeted. They plan to continue their fight and ban the use of phthalates in all products, including shampoos and sunscreens.

“We’re all at risk,” said Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician at UCLA and the author of “The Happiest Baby.”

“The bill is just one step,” Karp said. “There are a dozen other chemicals out there … Toy manufacturers may say that there is just a little bit of this chemical in their products. But when you add a little bit of this and add a little bit of that, what that adds up to is a dangerous mix of chemicals.”

Karp urged parents to buy more toys that are made from natural products, like wooden toys or “Raggedy Ann” dolls.

Athena Massey, a mother of two who was playing with her 16-month-old son on a swing set, said she, like other parents, is often misinformed about recalls and what toys are safe for her children. She would like to see more regulations forcing manufacturers to label clearly what is in their products.

“The main thing I’m looking for is a choking hazard,” Massey said. “To hear that there is some chemical that may make my kids sick, that’s scary.”

When she was a kid, Massey remembers her mother giving her wooden spoons and pots and pans to play with, forcing her to be creative. With all the recalls lately, she may consider doing the same with her own children.

“I mean, how do you go wrong with wood,” Massey said.

kevinh@smdp.com