WWTBAM Bored

themanintheseersuckersuit wrote:

earendel wrote:Our local alternative newspaper, the Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO for short), had a short article that suggested lead in paint used in children's toys isn't the only thing to be worried about. Evidently chemical compounds called "phthalates" are used to make hard plastic soft so that it is suitable for use in things like pacifiers and can be molded into items like children's toys. Phthalates have been shown to reduce testosterone in the body, thus disrupting the development of boys. Most industrial countries have banned the use of phthalates in rattles, pacifiers and teething toys, but the US still permits their use.

But before emotions, fears and uncertainties get the better of us, let's turn to the scientific evidence. Are "detectible" amounts of a chemical -- in billionths of a gram -- "high"? Does its mere presence make it dangerous? And is this chemical even considered a danger to humans in the first place? No, no and no.

http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=062705E

earendel wrote:

themanintheseersuckersuit wrote:

earendel wrote:Our local alternative newspaper, the Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO for short), had a short article that suggested lead in paint used in children's toys isn't the only thing to be worried about. Evidently chemical compounds called "phthalates" are used to make hard plastic soft so that it is suitable for use in things like pacifiers and can be molded into items like children's toys. Phthalates have been shown to reduce testosterone in the body, thus disrupting the development of boys. Most industrial countries have banned the use of phthalates in rattles, pacifiers and teething toys, but the US still permits their use.

But before emotions, fears and uncertainties get the better of us, let's turn to the scientific evidence. Are "detectible" amounts of a chemical -- in billionths of a gram -- "high"? Does its mere presence make it dangerous? And is this chemical even considered a danger to humans in the first place? No, no and no.

http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=062705E

Not trying to be argumentative or anything but the article addresses phthalates as carcinogens, not as having an effect on testosterone. Still the LEO tends to the left-wing extreme, so it should be taken with a grain of salt.

For example, multiple rat studies published in Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology have found no effect on health or reproductive development through blood or inhalation exposure.

peacock2121 wrote:Small independent toy stores just might make out well from all of this. There was a news story (local) this morning about these stores having letters saying there is no lead paint and so on.

silvercamaro wrote:

peacock2121 wrote:Small independent toy stores just might make out well from all of this. There was a news story (local) this morning about these stores having letters saying there is no lead paint and so on.

Unless each small independent toy store has small independent laboratories running chemical analysis tests on every toy in stock, I don't see how they can be certain.

In every case of the recalls from the big toy manufacturers, the lead paint was used in violation of the manufacturers' contractual standards. It's always theoretically possible that corners are being cut by some small manufacturer closer to home, too.

earendel wrote:Our local alternative newspaper, the Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO for short), had a short article that suggested lead in paint used in children's toys isn't the only thing to be worried about. Evidently chemical compounds called "phthalates" are used to make hard plastic soft so that it is suitable for use in things like pacifiers and can be molded into items like children's toys. Phthalates have been shown to reduce testosterone in the body, thus disrupting the development of boys. Most industrial countries have banned the use of phthalates in rattles, pacifiers and teething toys, but the US still permits their use.

Appa23 wrote: So, this is why my boy is so much more virile and studly than his 1st Grade classmates.

He never used a pacifier.

Actually, neither of our older children used a pacifier. PP sucked on her middle two fingers. He never had any kind of physical calming mechanism. Somehow, always was a happy baby, from the day that he came home.

The littlest one -- well, she must have her binkie. 'Cause if she ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy.

Appa23 wrote:

earendel wrote:Our local alternative newspaper, the Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO for short), had a short article that suggested lead in paint used in children's toys isn't the only thing to be worried about. Evidently chemical compounds called "phthalates" are used to make hard plastic soft so that it is suitable for use in things like pacifiers and can be molded into items like children's toys. Phthalates have been shown to reduce testosterone in the body, thus disrupting the development of boys. Most industrial countries have banned the use of phthalates in rattles, pacifiers and teething toys, but the US still permits their use.

So, this is why my boy is so much more virile and studly than his 1st Grade classmates.

He never used a pacifier.

Actually, neither of our older children used a pacifier. PP sucked on her middle two fingers. He never had any kind of physical calming mechanism. Somehow, always was a happy baby, from the day that he came home.

The littlest one -- well, she must have her binkie. 'Cause if she ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy.

themanintheseersuckersuit wrote:Hey, Skippy did you know there is a delete function now?

wbtravis007 wrote: Still, though, I think you're acting like a couple of girls.

wbtravis007 wrote:
Still, though, I think you're acting like a couple of girls.

wbtravis007 wrote:

Appa23 wrote:

earendel wrote:Our local alternative newspaper, the Louisville Eccentric Observer (LEO for short), had a short article that suggested lead in paint used in children's toys isn't the only thing to be worried about. Evidently chemical compounds called "phthalates" are used to make hard plastic soft so that it is suitable for use in things like pacifiers and can be molded into items like children's toys. Phthalates have been shown to reduce testosterone in the body, thus disrupting the development of boys. Most industrial countries have banned the use of phthalates in rattles, pacifiers and teething toys, but the US still permits their use.

So, this is why my boy is so much more virile and studly than his 1st Grade classmates.

He never used a pacifier.

Actually, neither of our older children used a pacifier. PP sucked on her middle two fingers. He never had any kind of physical calming mechanism. Somehow, always was a happy baby, from the day that he came home.

The littlest one -- well, she must have her binkie. 'Cause if she ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy.

Some commnet about chinamen being easier to raise than whities.

Appa23 wrote:He never used a pacifier.

Actually, neither of our older children used a pacifier. PP sucked on her middle two fingers. He never had any kind of physical calming mechanism. Somehow, always was a happy baby, from the day that he came home.

The littlest one -- well, she must have her binkie. 'Cause if she ain't happy, ain't nobody gonna be happy.