Ape 2 Zebra says no to TCEP in products and toys that children come in contact with

Ape 2 Zebra Toys comment on Proposal for legislative action on tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) under the Hazardous Products Act

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/legislation/consultation/_2010tris_phosphate/index-eng.php

Overview

Many products made from polyurethane foam contain the fire-retardant chemical TCEP. TCEP has potential carcinogenic effects, and children under the age of three are particularly at risk of adverse health effects related to TCEP exposure. Polyurethane foam containing TCEP can be found in many consumer products, including mattresses, electronics, and children's toys. . Infants from 0-6 months old were the population with potentially the highest consumer product exposure estimates, resulting from mouthing PUF foam cushioning.

Health Canada is proposing that:

Products intended for children under three years of age that are made in whole, or in part, from PUF containing TCEP be added to Part I of Schedule I to the HPA. This measure would prohibit these specific consumer products from advertisement, sale and importation into Canada.

Response on Health Canada Proposal - Orson Ape, Head of Quality Control at Ape 2 Zebra Toys

According to the Canadian Cancer Society an estimated 1 out of every 4 Canadians are expected to die from cancer.

• On average, 3,340 Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer every week.
• On average, 1,470 Canadians will die of cancer every week.

Of course chemicals that have potential carcinogenic effects should be banned from Canada. It is surprising however that Health Canada only wants to ban it for products intended for children under the age of three. Since when do infants and toddlers not co-sleep with parents on the same mattresses (intended for adults), or play with the pillows from the coach (filled with polyurethane), or share a bigger child's bath toys made from foam?

In Ape 2 Zebra’s opinion it is short-sighted to think that the potential risk for infants to be exposed to a carcinogenic substance will be reduced by simply removing it from something that contains a label that says: For newborn and up. Babies and toddlers don't go through life asking which toys or consumer products they can touch and play with, they don't go through life reading labels to understand if they may be impotent or develop cancer if they sleep with mommy on her bed. Children (and especially small children) experience all products with all their senses, regardless of what a label says.

Ape 2 Zebra definitely, whole heartedly supports the ban of products containing TCEP (and any other carcinogenic substance for that matter) in all products intended for children under the age of three, but we would suggest that the Government take a serious look at all consumer products found generally around the house and not just products containing a label that says for children under 3. Especially if a product has a high probability of being exposed to a child under 3 (mattresses, toys, pillows, coaches etc).

Ape 2 Zebra realizes that even though TCEP exposure may be taking lives by causing cancer or cause incredible heartache when causing impotence, TCEP may also be saving lives in the event of a fire, giving people an extra few seconds to rescue a child from a bedroom or such in an event of a fire. Ape 2 Zebra suggests that the Government takes a look at the options to stop TCEP leaching from everyday household items like mattresses, bedding and pillows in order to allow for the protection in the case of fire but stop the leaching that expose innocent children to cancer causing chemicals and toxins. We would also like to suggest a ban of TCEP in all products that don’t need to contain TCEP (like children toys).

Ape 2 Zebra also strongly suggests that clear, permanent labeling and warnings be made mandatory on all products containing TCEP (or any other potential carcinogenic causing product) in Canada (products already in Canada and new products imported into Canada).

It is a consumer’s right to be informed if a product contains any chemicals that can cause cancer or any other health issues. It is also in the interest of our Government, and especially our already burdened Health Services to take action and stop the daily exposure of the Canadian population to products known to be detrimental to our health and to be a possible cause of Cancer, the leading cause of premature death in Canada.

Officially occupied keeping you safe,

Orson Ape,

Head of Quality Control and Safety, Ape 2 Zebra Toys