§ Mr. BakerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what assessment she has made of(a) the levels of phthalates present in children's toys on sale in the United Kingdom and (b) the level of danger these may present to children; and if she will make a statement. [17781]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 27 November 1997]: The DTI is at present carrying out research to develop procedures for testing the levels of exposure to phthalates from PVC toys in the light of criticism of current European guidance test methods, which show no evidence that Tolerable Daily Intakes (TDIs) are being exceeded. I am advised that the concentration of phthalates in children's toys is not a satisfactory indication of the exposure of children to these chemicals. This can be assessed by determining the migration of phthalates from these products. The Department of Health has advised, in the light of the most recent research conducted on phthalates, that there are unlikely to be any health risks to children from phthalates in toys and teething rings provided that exposure does not exceed the relevant TDIs for phthalates set by the EC Scientific Committee for Food. This advice takes account of all available information on the possible effects of phthalates, including recent studies concerning oestrogenic activity.
162W
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will ban the sale of toys containing cyclobutanone. [17920]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 28 November 1997]: 1 have no plans to do so. I am advised that cyclobutanone does not appear to be used to any great extent, if at all, in toy production. The essential safety requirements in the Toy (Safety) Regulations 1989 requires toy manufactures to supply toys that are safe when used as intended to be used or in a foreseeable way. Any chemical used in toys must comply with this requirement.