Two weeks ago California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation to make California the first state in the country to ban the use of phthalates in children's products. The legislation was a big victory for Environment California, the new home of CALPIRG's environmental work:

"When a child puts a phthalate-laden teether in her mouth, it’s like sucking on a toxic lollypop," said Rachel Gibson, Staff Attorney for Environment California. Phthalates have been shown to interfere with the natural functioning of the hormone system. These toxic chemicals have been linked to reproductive problems, early onset of puberty, liver and thyroid damage, and testicular cancer.