What is the new CPSC law about Phthalates?
The CPSC has known about the potentials dangers of phthalates, as it relates to newborns, for many years. In fact, a law was passed in 2008 that severely restricted the use of phthalates in child items such as rattlers, teethers, and other items that are often placed in a newborns mouth. But the dangers of phthalates did no go away completely with this law, as there were other child care items that were still allowed to contain phthalates. (i.e., crib mattresses) Prior to February 10, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) allowed crib mattresses with phthalates to be manufactured and even to be sold indefinitely until manufacturers inventory was depleted. This would have taken months, or even years to completely use up. However, as of February 10, 2009, the CPSC ruled that childrens toys and child care articles that will be sold on store shelves cannot contain more that 0.1% of the six phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DnOP) regardless of when they were ma
