The Legislature of the State of Hawaii is considering four bills - cited as the Toxin-Free Keiki Act - to restrict bisphenol A (BPA) and specified phthalates in toys and child care articles.
The Bills would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of any toy or child care article that:
- is intended for use by a child under three years of age and contains BPA;
- contains di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), or butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) in concentrations exceeding 0.1%; or
- is intended for use by a child under three years of age, is small enough to be placed in a child's mouth, and contains diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), or di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) in concentrations exceeding 0.1%.
Each of the bills would require manufacturers to use the least toxic alternative when replacing BPA and phthalates; however, manufacturers may not use:
- carcinogens rated as A, B, or C by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) list of chemicals evaluated for carcinogenic potential; or
- reproductive toxicants that cause birth defects, reproductive harm, or developmental harm as identified by the EPA.
Two of the bills would also restrict heavy metals in packages and packaging and prohibit the purchase or use of vinyl intravenous solution bags and vinyl tubing.
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