Inside Prevention

You know you've made it when...

Remember Chucky from the horror flick series, Child's Play? Meet another nightmare toy: Phthalate Phil, courtesy of San Francisco Chronicle editorial cartoonist Tom Meyer.

Phthalate Phil is on his way out, thanks to California's brand-new Toxic Toys law.

We won on toxic toys!

A 25-foot inflatable ducky outside San Francisco's City Hall captured the attention of media (and passersby, including a flock of tourists) at an October 10 press conference with co-sponsors the Breast Cancer Fund and Environment California, and author California state Assemblywoman Fiona Ma. We were there to help sway Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to sign the Toxic Toys bill, AB 1108, into law. And then we crossed our fingers. This was not a bill the chemical industry wanted to see signed.

Crossed fingers unfurled to cheers and applause late Sunday when it was announced that the governor had signed our bill into law. Starting in January 2009, toys and children's products like bath books and teethers - all those things that little kids suck and chew on - sold in California may not contain chemical plasticizers called phthalates. Phthalates make plastic soft (and chew-friendly), but they also disrupt the delicate hormonal dance in people - especially developing children. Phthalates have been linked to early puberty (a risk factor for breast cancer), genital abnormalities in baby boys, testicular cancer and liver problems.

The best news: this law protects more than just California's children. Several other states are interested in replicating the California Toxic Toys bill, and U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein wants to take it to the national level. Because, as Breast Cancer Fund state policy coordinator Gretchen Lee put it in the San Francisco Chronicle, "phthalates are a problem no matter where you live."

Read more from the Chronicle and USA Today.

Place Your Bid for Breast Cancer Prevention

From October 16-26, eBay will host its fourth annual auction to benefit the Breast Cancer Fund.  As part of the company’s spotlight on breast cancer awareness during October, the online auction will feature over 10 donated prize packages ranging in value from $50 and $6,000.  All of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Fund's efforts to identify - and advocate for the elimination of - the environmental causes of breast cancer.

This year’s exciting top packages include an all-expense paid trip to the 2008 Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, Calif. as a fully sponsored member of the World Champion LUNA Women’s Pro Mountain Bike Team and a private dinner for 10 by renowned Bay Area Chef Maggie Pond of Cesar restaurant.  Other auction items include a women’s kayak, a city bike, and an array of natural pampering and skin care packages. 

The online auction will open at 9 a.m. PST on Tuesday, October 16, and close at 9 a.m. PST on Friday, October 26.  Help the Breast Cancer Fund work towards the elimination of the disease, start your bidding on October 16th for breast cancer prevention!