Sacramento, CA – In this Democratic weekly radio address Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma explains why she wants the Governor to sign Assembly Bill 1108, her legislation to ban the use of some chemicals in toys designed for infants and toddlers. Assemblymember Ma also calls on the public to urge the Governor via letters, phone calls and e-mails to sign the ban on toxic toys. In the radio address Assemblymember Ma says, quote, “The European Union and 14 other countries -- including Canada and Mexico -- have already banned or are phasing them out of toys. But unfortunately, toys containing unhealthy levels of phthalates are openly sold in California.” A full transcript of the address follows and a link to the audio of the radio address is at the bottom of this e-mail. The address runs 1:47.

Transcript:

Hello, this is Fiona Ma, Majority Whip of the California Assembly.

Could babies who suck on their rubber duckies be susceptible to early onset puberty, disruption in their hormone systems, and cancer?

The scientific research and the recent recalls of millions of toys from China suggest so.

Phthalates are chemicals used as a softening agents in plastic toys like teethers and bath books.

The European Union and 14 other countries -- including Canada and Mexico -- have already banned or are fazing them out of toys.

But unfortunately, toys containing unhealthy levels of phthalates are openly sold in California.

The chemical industry likes to tell regulators and policy makers that the science on the phthalates is inconclusive, but while the industry has the power of money to spread propaganda, we have the science.

In fact, earlier this year, at the International Conference on Fetal Programming and Development Toxicity, 200 scientists urged policy makers not to wait any longer to take action on phthalates.

That’s why I authored Assembly Bill 1108, which will prohibit the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of toys and child care products intended for use by children under the age of three that contain certain phthalates.

AB 1108, a bill backed by consumer groups, cancer prevention groups, and environmental advocates, has already cleared the Assembly and Senate and now sits on the Governor’s desk for consideration.

But the bill has been under intense lobbying pressure from the chemical industry.

It is important that the Governor hear from you so California will no longer be the dumping ground for toxic toys.

Please call, write or e-mail the Governor and urge him to sign AB 1108.

Your children will thank you, and I thank you for listening.

This has been Assemblymember Fiona Ma.

Here is a link to the audio:

 http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/Newsline/Audio/20070922RadioAddressEnglishToysMa.mp3