Pulled from the link kindly provided by MyTheta:
When possible choose plastic-free toys such as fabric teethers, unpainted wooden toys or cloth and plush toys. Polycarbonate plastic (#7 plastic) should also be avoided. For a guide to safer plastics, see:
http://www.iatp.org/ foodandhealth/
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Funny (not ha-ha). We're providing products made from fabrics and wood and still we're being required to test for phthalates.
Granted, I'm taking information from that website with a grain of salt, as they direct you also to check out PIRG's and Kids In Danger's websites, two groups who helped to sculpt the masterpiece that is the CPSIA. So, they're telling us to buy wood and fabric items for our children, while in the next breath they're practically giggling with glee that they *saved* all children by forcing crafters, cottage industrialists, yadda yadda, to test these very (incredibly low-risk) materials that they have recommended! *scratching my head*
When are people going to be worried about the mercury in CFL bulbs (the use of which Congress has mandated on our behalf, I believe)? Heaven forbid one breaks in your home or someone who doesn't know better (like, all of us) throws the used ones in the trash so it can get into the ground.
My point is, it's really hard to find any UNBIASED information so that we may actually educate ourselves without the spin of one or another group's political agenda. Frankly, it's phenomenally frustrating! (ooh, the alliteration...) We're all just muddling our way through this whole parenting thing. But we as parents need to be responsible for our kids; don't expect Congress to swoop in and save the day. As one pundit says, "the government will fail you every time." So keep it small so as to minimize the damage.