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Dear Editor:

We at Kids Wish Network wish to express our deep regret upon hearing the news of Toy Industry Association President Tom Conley's resignation from the organization. Tom has been a major force in the toy industry for many years, providing strong leadership and innovative direction.

For Kids Wish Network, Tom has been a true Guardian Angel. He was instrumental in assisting us with gaining membership into the association. His support and guidance have been immeasurable in assisting Kids Wish Network with obtaining donations from the toy industry. Without these donations, we would be unable to help the thousands of sick children we reach out to every year. For these children, he has truly been a hero!

Tom will be greatly missed. Kids Wish Network would like to extend our warmest appreciation for his service to the toy industry these many years, and we wish him the very best in his new endeavors.

—For the Children, Barbara Askin, director, Kids Wish Network

To the editor:

I want to shout out a big “thank you” for including Lekotek and its new AblePlay Rating System in your Playthings Extra e-newsletter. The response we received as a result was terrific.

By including the details of our new program to assist toy companies in reaching the children with disabilities market, you gave us the exposure and credibility we needed.

Many new entries were received because Playthings helped us get the word out, and for that we are incredibly thankful. We will continue to accept entries throughout the year.

—Diana Nielander, executive director National Lekotek Center

To the editors:

As the holiday season approaches, watch for a repeat of the activist campaign to frighten parents from putting some of their children's favorite toys under the tree.

A 1998 petition led by the National Environmental Trust (NET) called for a ban of toys made of vinyl (polyvinyl chloride or PVC) in products intended for children age 5 and younger. The petition, submitted to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), sought to ban the use of vinyl in toys.

NET activists alleged plastic softeners, called phthalates (pronounced thalates), pose a toxic hazard in toys.

The CPSC conducted scientific and technical investigations, including an unprecedented mouthing study of more than 500 children, which measured how much time children chew on toys. The CPSC voted unanimously to deny the activists' petition, stating: “CPSC staff believes that there is no demonstrated health risk posed by PVC toys or other products intended for children five years of age and under.”

Phthalate softeners have been used safely for more than 40 years, not only in toys, but also in medical products such as blood bags, catheters, IV tubes and sanitary gloves. Clear, odorless liquids that break down quickly in the environment, phthalates are the most rigorously tested plasticizers available.

Because phthalates are tightly bound to the vinyl in soft PVC products, human exposure is extremely small.

Despite their extensive record of safe use, phthalates have continued to come under scrutiny from activists determined to end their use.

American Council on Science and Health medical director Dr. Gil Ross condemns the activist campaign against plastic softeners. “There are thousands of chemicals to which we are exposed in trace levels in the environment,” Ross says. “Why focus on phthalates? These are highly beneficial, and there are no substitutes with a proven track record of safety and efficiency. It seems to me to be a waste of time, effort and scarce resources.”

But scarce resources aren't a problem for the National Environmental Trust. Since 2000, NET has received more than $30 million from wealthy foundations. NET has spent a good portion of its grant money trying to separate children from the vinyl toys they love. Using children's toys to incite fear is a morally questionable fundraising tool.

There is not a shred of evidence supporting claims that vinyl damages children's health, or the environment. Toymakers have been making vinyl toys for 50 years. One of the most thoroughly-tested plastics available, vinyl is easily cleaned, affordable, durable and safe.

It's time activists gave up their wrongheaded campaign against vinyl and focused on consumer behavior, which has been proven harmful, such as cigarette smoking and drunk driving.

—Patrick Mooore, Ph.D, chair/chief scientist, Greenspirit Strategies Ltd., Vancouver, Canada .wwwgreenspiritstrategies.com (Dr. Moore is co-founder of Greenpeace)