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Feedback ForumNOW wants to hear from you! Send us your opinions, reactions and ideas about "Toxic Toys."Submissions for this question are no longer being accepted. Previously submitted comments appear below. Comments may have been edited for content or space. Poster: David Brookstein Comment: Your story on Toxic Toys reinforces shat we are doing at Institute for Textile and Apparel Product Safety at Philadelphia University. Here we are looking at the incidence of formaldehyde and brominated flame retardants in a variety of items that children are exposed to. These toxins can cause a wide variety of medical problems. Poster: Philip Morin Comment: Congratulations on your presentation “Toxic Toys”. I believe that you accomplished your goal of needlessly frightening a population of new and expectant mothers through your shoddy and sensationalized reporting. Fear mongering rather than a balanced presentation of the science and facts was clearly the objective of the show. Fair and objective journalism requires asking the hard questions and digging for the facts on both sides of the issue. This is where this show missed the mark. Let me site a few examples. First, the program made much of the fact that the EU (European Union) banned phthalates in toys with the implication that the EU was much wiser and more concerned for their population that the US. Why was this not challenged? In fact the EU ban was based largely on the “precautionary principle” rather than fact and science. The latest ban went into affect in 2005. Nowhere in the program was it stated that in 2006 an independent scientific panel convened by the EU concluded that one of these products (DINP – di-iso-nonyl phthalate) posed no risk of cancer or reproductive and developmental harm. This is the primary phthalate plasticizer used in children’s toys. How convenient to overlook this fact! Research is incomplete with other phthalates. Second, the scientific case of phthalates being a reproductive toxin was largely made by Dr. Swan. It is interesting that it was not pointed out that her work has been challenged by others in the scientific community. That fact was never presented. Even Dr Swan was inconclusive as to the significance of her work. Third, it was suggested that there are all kinds of alternatives to phthalates. This is true. However the next logical question was not asked. Are these alternatives safer? The answer is that we do not know. Phthalates have been studied for over 30 years and have been found to be safe (note the EU report above). The alternatives have not been studies remotely as rigorously as phthalates. Does this give everyone a comfort level that toys sold in Europe and manufactured in China are safer???? Poster: Michelle Babyok Comment: Pthalates in consumer products are only the beginning. There's also BPA in your favorite plastic bottled water and Nalgene thermos. Check out the following for more info: http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/03/bpa-questions-answered.htm Poster: Neil Daniels Comment: Endocrine disruptors like phthalates and BPA pose a serious ethical and epidemiological problem. We can't prove these endocrine mimickers are dangerous to humans unless we use unborn kids (fetuses) as experiments. So we expose them anyway. Is this America’s brand of Russian roulette? There is an important science debate between the difference between mice and men but because of the scientific discovery of epigenes; the difference is frighteningly smaller than once thought. I think of Max Planck’s quote “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.” With this stuff you might not get the chance for new generation to grow up and change paradigms. Everyone will be sick or dead. Poster: Brandy Comment: Amazing article and we loved the show today, NOW. It's amazing how our own government won't even help us out, the tax paying citizens. How can our US Researchers and Scientists input/information go to help the EU and not our OWN GOVERNMENT, which we PAY FOR? I am outraged and will do my part to share the information. Afterall, we are only as smart as our weakest link.... Thanks PBS, once again! Brandy Donough North Pole Alaska Poster: Joyce Comment: I would like to know the level of phthalates in food containers. Seems everything in the grocery store is being sold in soft plastic containers and phthalates would easily leach into the food of the population of all ages. Poster: Nan Comment: Well done. This is information that every parent needs. Why isn't our government responding to this issue? Our children's health obviously isn't important to them. Poster: Karl Cicitto Comment: If you have read Leonard Sax's BOYS ADRIFT you know that Phthalates have been scientifically linked to male genital deformities in wildlife in the Potamac River and tributeries as well as in the Everglades, and also causes spikes in female sexual development in a test group of teen women in Puerto Rico. America needs to wake up and get Phthalates out of not only Toys -- but also out of the plastic water and soda bottles (PET) from which all Americans drink. Poster: Katie Comment: Thank you so much for the information on the Toxic Toys. What can I do to have them made safe in America. I live in Massachusetts. Poster: pattsi petrie Comment: I watched the program about toxic toys for children. It was seem logical that the same problem added during the program would apply to any plastic toy purchased for a pet. Has any research been done on these toys? Pattsi Petrie Poster: Marvin Levin Comment: It seems everyday something new is found to be toxic.In the last decade our population grew up exposed to multiple toxins about which they new nothing about. I suppose that when they reach voting age and elect the wrong president or congress person or murder their wife or children - their action can be justified in court by their consumption of these toxins. If they die early we can probably say it was caused by the ingestion of toxins. Maybe the desire to go to war over some issue or other rather then negotiate might be due to toxins. At 73 it is probably better that I be cremated because I have ingested so many toxins that my burial might cause the dead to rise in protest to all the toxins I contain. Live life in fear? No way Poster: Kathleen G. Comment: I was rudely awakened by this program. I knew that plastics were not a healthy choice for reheating food in microwaves, but I had no idea how toxic my children's toys could be. I have sent a link to your web article regarding this important topic to all I know who have children in their lives. I am researching how I can make a difference in my child's life by contacting state and federal law makers, and urging them to create laws to bans these harmful plastics from our toys, food containers, plastic packaging, etc. I have always enjoyed your programs and the unique and often under-reported information you share. Thank you. Poster: Karen Snaza Comment: Great Program! I was very amazed at the report on Toxic Toys and emailed the information to my son and daughter-in-law who are expecting their first baby in August. They live in Seattle, WA and I hope to help them find safe toys on my many trips to Europe as I am a flight attendant. These findings are overwhelming and every American needs to know what our government is NOT doing. Thank you for your wonderful programs. Poster: Diane Kruse Comment: Thank you for airing this show about toxins in toys. I have a one year old child and have been on a wild goose chase trying to find safe toys and products here in Fairbanks Alaska. Friends and family have brushed off my concerns as a new mom's paranoia. I am pleased to see that you are increasing the public's awareness over the dangers of hidden toxins. Poster: Jeo Kara Comment: Well...Thank You Bottom-Feeding Bottom-Liner Corporations and the Republican Party, President (Bush&Dick Cheney), Congress, EPA. Future will now recognize, forever, USA...THE COUNTRY OF THE LITTLE PENIS POPULATION. Where do these Elete purchase Their Children's Toys... Poster: Aidan Comment: The US is the greatest threat to democracy and world safety. No nation has the right to invade and attack another nation unless it is attacked by it. (Iraq did not attack the US). It is only our insane greed for oil, resources that don't belong to us, and cheap labor that drive us to war with other nations. When will the people take back the power from this war-mongering administration? And it's not just the Republicans. We don't have the right to use the oil/resources that belong to other nations unless they want to sell it to us. We (the US) are not 'Right' and they are 'Wrong'. Our religion is not 'Right' and other's are 'Wrong'. All are fine and equally viable. Get a grip, take a big breath and CALM DOWN PEOPLE !!! Poster: Nicholas Porter Comment: Thank you Now for continuing to porvide interesting, informative, and important television. The integrity of your reporting is world class and your stories are critical to undertanding the issues of the day. Canadians get a pretty broad sampling of American news and I can tell you that Now rises to the top. Thank you for your great work. Nicholas Porter Toronto, ON Canada Poster: Ginny Belanger Comment: I am a very concerned grandmother trying to understand why toys are so highly toxic. I thought all we consumers had to worry about was lead toxicity. We have been lead to believe that plastic toys are safe as long as you don't choke on them. That is the only caution I have ever read on labels on toys. My grandaughter is 8 monts old. Every toy, book,rubber ducky and teether has gone in her mouth especially since her teething. My daughter thinks everything is 'safe' and is sick and tired of me trying to explain to her the toxins that could be hazardous to health. My grandaughter just had a blood test for 'lead', don't know results yet. Please help me have some reasurence on safty from chemical toxicity. Extremely Concerned Nana Poster: Maggie Carvan Comment: Thank you for tonight's program on Environmental Toxins and human health, especially children. You successfully explained the precautionary principle in a way we can all understand. I just sent your web address to all my friends and colleagues. I pray your program is re-aired prior to the general election so voters push the new administration for policies that protect us from environmental toxins. |
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