美國已經準備好要禁止一系列過去經常用於軟化塑膠玩具的化學物質，因為這些化學物質可能跟生殖障礙和其他的健康問題有關。
我們可以在很多的居家用品中發現一種名為「鄰苯二甲酸鹽」（phthalates）的化學物質，包括軟塑料玩具以及其他嬰兒產品，如嬰兒的長牙玩具、沐浴書、塑膠鴨子等都可能含有這種化學物質。
研究也發現，暴露於含「苯二甲酸鹽」的環境當中可能會導致長期的健康問題，包括癌症等，因為這類化學物質會妨礙荷爾蒙和生殖系統的發展。
目前已經有十幾個國家以及歐盟都曾頒布相關禁令或限制「鄰苯二甲酸鹽」的使用。
而美國對於「鄰苯二甲酸鹽」的禁止條例是「消費品安全改革法案」的一個部分，7月30日美國眾議院以424票對1票表決通過；接著，7月31日晚間美國參議院也以89票對3票輕易地通過該項法案。
雖然布希總統反對「鄰苯二甲酸鹽」禁令以及立法中的其它相關規定，但是面對國會壓倒性的支持，他也表明將會簽署該法案。
立法者提出這個條例法案是對最近一連串回收消費性產品的情形做出回應，如在玩具中發現含有危險程度的鉛塗料；以及其對美國消費品安全委員會（Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC）無法發揮應有的作用而感到擔憂。
美國眾議院和參議院之間為了消除彼此之間的歧見花了將近5個月的時間進行法案辯論，而有關「鄰苯二甲酸鹽」的條款即是其中一個主要的癥結點。
而在參議院的法案中也反映了加州最近禁止在玩具或是兒童照護產品中使用6種不同「鄰苯二甲酸鹽」的規定。
The United States is poised to partially ban a group of chemicals used to soften plastic toys, heeding concerns about possible links to reproductive disorders and other health problems.
The chemicals, known as phthalates, are found in hundreds of household items, including soft plastic toys and other baby products, such as teethers, bath books, and rubber ducks.
Studies have found exposure may cause long-term health effects, including cancer, as the chemicals can interfere with the development of the hormone and reproductive systems.
More than a dozen countries along with the European Union have moved to ban or restrict phthalates.
The U.S. phthalate ban is part of a consumer product safety reform bill that easily passed the Senate Thursday night. The Senate's 89-3 vote came on the heels of Wednesday's 424-1 vote in the House.
Faced with such overwhelming support from Congress, President Bush has indicated he will sign the bill, despite opposition to the phthalate ban and other provisions in the legislation.
Lawmakers crafted the bill in response to recent product recalls of a long list of consumer products, including toys found to contain unsafe levels of lead paint, and growing worries about the ineffectiveness of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC.
It took House and Senate leaders nearly five months to iron out their differences between competing bills, with the phthalate provision a major sticking point.
Language in the Senate bill mirrored California's recent ban on the use of six phthalates in toys and childcare products.
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In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
