Chemicals of Concern In Children’s Products

In 2015 the Oregon legislature passed the Toxic Free Kids Act. The law requires manufacturers who make children’s products to report when their products contain toxic chemicals that are scientifically linked to health impacts in kids.

undefined

Three years later, we got our first glimpse into the range of toxic chemicals in kid’s products when manufacturers were required to file initial report to the Oregon Health Authority on January 1, 2018. Manufacturers will be required to report for a second time by December 2020, and begin phasing out chemicals in some products with proven safer alternatives by 2022.

More than 4,000 reports to the Oregon Health Authority show that toys, clothes, crafts, bedding, baby gear sold in Oregon in 2017 contain more than 50 different chemical ingredients that are scientifically linked to health impacts in kids. It’s not currently possible to search the data for chemicals of concern in a specific product or brand name. However, Oregon Health Authority and other state agencies are working with the Interstate Chemicals Clearinghouse to make that kind of search possible in the future.

Toxic Free Kids Act: See how it works

Federal law doesn’t require manufacturers to tell consumers when toxic chemicals are in products made for kids. Oregon and other states are working to fill the gaps, helping us understand how our kids may be exposed to toxic chemicals in their daily lives. Children’s products are an important potential source of exposure to toxic chemicals, but not the only source. These kinds of toxic chemicals are found in a wide variety of products. That’s why we need public health laws that protect our right to know what’s in the products we buy.

Related Posts
Filter by
Post Page
Featured Toxics-Free Environments Toxic Free Priorities Environmental Health Eco-Healthy Homes Living Green Policy
Sort by

Huge Wins for Public Health! Oregon Lawmakers Act to Keep Toxic Chemicals Out of Cosmetics and Kids’ Products

In a resounding victory for the health and well-being of Oregonians, Oregon Environmental Council and coalition partners successfully advocated for the passage of two crucial environmental health bills in the 2023 legislative session.  Despite facing staunch opposition from the chemical industry, our coalition’s unwavering commitment and tenacity paid off, as we se
June 27, 2023, 2:46 pm
jamie-pang

9

Three kids playing in a sandbox

It’s National Public Health Week. Let’s tackle toxic chemicals!

This post was co-authored by Lisa Arkin, Executive Director, Beyond Toxics It’s National Public Health Week. Let’s tackle toxic chemicals! Every child deserves a safe environment to grow in that allows them to become strong and healthy and develop to their full potential. During National Public Health Week, it’s important to draw attention to the health
April 4, 2023, 8:47 pm
jamie-pang

9

Tell outdoor retailer REI to take toxic ‘forever chemicals’ out of their apparel!

From waterproof jackets to boots, outdoor gear sold at REI and other retailers like Columbia Sportswear contains ‘
September 15, 2022, 10:57 pm
jamie-pang

9

Without TFKA expansions, OHA forced to choose 5 chemicals to regulate

There’s thousands of potentially harmful chemicals in products that are marketed to kids. As of now, OHA can regulate just a few of them. We need to change that.  In 2015, OEC’s advocacy lead to the passage of a groundbreaking law, the Toxics Free Kids Act (TFKA), which required manufacturers of children’s products sold i
September 30, 2021, 8:31 pm
jamie-pang

9

Nearly 1/2 of the food packaging tested from popular chains contain “forever chemicals”

September 16, 2020, 10:40 pm
jamie-pang

9

If Our Government Won’t Regulate Toxic Chemicals, It Is Up to Consumer Behavior and Retailers to Drive Change

New Report Reveals Top Retailers Making Major Chemical Safety Advances A new report released this week by Oregon Environmental Council’s partner Safer Chemicals Healthy Families reveals that many of our nation’s top retailers are vo
November 21, 2019, 10:03 pm
jamie-pang

9

Toxic Free Kids Act: PBT Chemicals

This data on persistent and/or bio-accumulative chemicals in children’s products was reported to the Oregon Health Authority in 2018. The table below may take a moment to load. For more information on the links between these chemicals and health effects, visit
December 7, 2018, 11:48 pm
jenc

9

A Week In Chemicals

Hot, sharp, stinky or rotten: it’s easy to avoid hazards when you can see or smell them—especially when you feel the ill effects immediately. But how do we avoid the hazards we can’t see, and harm that we won’t feel until years down the line? That’s a 21st century health challenge. Our Emerging Leader Board member Bethany Thomas was one of 28 people nationwide p
July 21, 2015, 6:02 pm
jenc

9

Prioritizing Children’s Health in Kid’s Products

Toxic chemicals that harm health should not be in our kids’ products. But they are. Thousands of chemicals lurk in products our kids use every day and children are far more vulnerable to toxics than adults due to their smaller size and developing organs. Even worse, the most recent studies show that new chemical compounds are produced at a rate
December 20, 2022, 7:59 pm
jamie-pang

0

Personal Care Products Should Not Be Toxic

Updated on January 23, 2023 Consumers want to believe that their favorite brands of makeup, toiletries, and other personal care products are safe. But in reality, most of these products contain unregulated chemicals known to be toxic when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin. It is estimated that there are over 10,000 chemicals in the beauty market today. OEC conducted a survey amongst
November 2, 2022, 5:59 pm
jamie-pang

0

1 Reply to "Chemicals of Concern In Children's Products"