EU governments yesterday unanimously approved an emergency ban on some baby toys made from PVC plastic containing chemicals called phthalates. Some scientists believe that phthalates, used to soften plastics, could leach out of toys that babies put in their mouths and pose serious health risks. The EU’s executive commission points to research that has linked phthalates to testicular problems and liver and kidney damage. The EU ban extends to such items as pacifiers and teething toys. Greenpeace, which has been campaigning against the use of phthalates, praised the move but said the EU needs to go further and ban phthlates in all toys aimed at children under 3, not just those intended to be put in the mouth.
