SACRAMENTO, CA — California became the first state in the nation to ban phthalates this week. Phthalates are toxic plastic softeners commonly used in lower-quality sex toys along with baby teething rings, plastic toys, IV bags, nail polish, and many other items. Researchers say regular contact with phthalates may cause hormonal damage in young children and increase the chances of serious illness and cancers later in life.Phthalates are currently banned in 14 nations and the European Union, and alternative materials are being used in those countries. McDonald’s, for example, makes toys for its meal packages that have complied with Europe’s ban on phthalates, and some hospitals in the United States are removing IV bags that contain the chemicals.

Adult retailer Good Vibrations was at the forefront of adult retailers phasing out vibrators and dildos with phthalates in their plastic from their stock and other retailers and manufacturers followed. Many vendors of “jelly” sex toys advise covering the toys in condoms prior to using them internally.

There is some dispute about whether phthalates are dangerous with some studies in existence saying that the chemicals cause no harm.

The president of the American Chemistry Council, Jack Gerald said of the new law, “This law is the product of the politics of fear. It is not good science, and it is not good government.”

On Sunday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the state law, which will take effect on January 1st, 2009.

Lawmakers in Texas, Illinois, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington, Maine, Connecticut, and New York are expected to introduce similar legislation in the coming months, according to environmental and breast cancer groups that sponsored the California measure.

Gretchen Lee, spokeswoman for the Breast Cancer Fund, said there is growing evidence linking phthalates to diseases including breast cancer – a damn good reason for other states to follow California’s ban.

“Phthalates are a problem no matter where you live,” she said. “We hope that AB1108 [the anti-phthalates bill] will serve as a model to other states so that they will have the same protections as Californian’s children.”