Don't shy away from sex toy bill: MP to Aglukkaq
From CBC News - Health
Fri., Dec. 18, 2009
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/...hazardous.html
The adult toy industry in Canada needs responsible regulation to protect women from high levels of chemicals linked to reproductive and other health issues, an MP says in a letter to the federal health minister.
Two self-branded "eco-sisters" in Toronto, Kim and Amy Sedgwick, raised the issue with Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, saying adult toys contain "high concentrations of dangerous materials."
Bennett, a medical doctor, wrote to Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq this week, asking the government not to "shy away from legislation that protects us just because the topic of sex toys make us uncomfortable."
Vibrators and other plastic sex toys contain chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which make plastics soft and flexible.
In 2000, a study by German chemist Hans Ulrich Krief found that 10 dangerous chemicals gased out of some sex toys.
Canada has banned BPA in baby bottles, and in June, Health Canada proposed a ban on phthalates in all children's toys.
"In Canada, we are not yet doing enough to protect women against very high concentrations of materials linked to reproductive and other health issues," Bennett wrote.
"No one questions these chemicals are hazardous. However, they are still found in many sex toys, and because these toys can be sold as 'novelties' ? which suggests they aren't intended for actual use ? they aren't subject to regulation or testing."
Safe alternatives to phthalates and BPA are available, she noted.
The American Chemistry Council, representing the plastic industry, vigorously defends phthalates and BPA, saying the chemicals have been used safely in consumer products for decades.
The Sedgwicks have a store in Toronto that sells ecofriendly vibrators and other adult toys made of silicone, metal or wood instead of squishy plastic. The women also founded an online store that offers environmentally responsible sex, fertility, and contraception products and information.