Thanks to everyone who helped us ban toxic toys!

by Fiona Ma [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

On Sunday, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 1108, the bill I introduced to remove toxic toys from our shelves. 

It was only a few weeks ago that we started an online campaign urging Governor Schwarzenegger to sign this crucial piece of legislation.  We had hundreds of grassroots supporters email the Governor demanding that he pass the ban -- now, parents will be no longer have to worry about the safety of the products that they buy for their toddlers.  Thank you to everyone who supported this bill and pushed for its passage!

As many of you may know (especially if you've been reading Calitics!), AB 1108 prohibits manufacturers from selling plastic products intended for young children that contain the toxic chemical phthalates.  Phthalates are used by manufacturers to make plastics softer -- and can be found in children's products like rubber duckies and soft bathtub books.  According to the Environment California Research and Policy Center, these chemicals can be particularly harmful for children under the age of three, with exposure leading to hormonal disruptions, early onset of puberty, reproductive impairment, ADHD, and even cancer.
That's why I'm so thrilled with our success in passing the ban against these toys here in California.  It was a real struggle to convince the Governor to sign the bill particularly because, unsurprisingly, the chemical industry lobbied hard against this common-sense legislation.  But thanks to your dedication, we overcame the challenge and persuaded the Governor to pass AB 1108. 

California is now leading our nation in the fight against these unnecessary additives in baby products -- as we should. With phthalates now banned from children's toys here in our state, I look forward to working with Americans across the country to ensure that these dangerous products are banned throughout the nation as well! 

If you'd join me and thousands of other Californians as we work to improve our state on issues ranging from the economy to education to health care,  you can click here to sign up for the Ma Squad today!