Babies are Safe, But What About My Vagina?
Because of a box that I checked when I was signing up for other things, I happen to get Earth Network e-mails every so often. Usually I just delete them without opening because they are rarely relevant to me, but today I didn’t.
“Phthalates ban signed into law!” Declared the subject line. Hey wait, I though, pthalates - I know what those are! They’re the nasty chemical used to soften plastics that has everyone worried - esp since they are used to make dildos, and jelly sex toys, and sometimes even in everyone’s favourite famous vibe - the rabbit. Hurray! My vagina is safe - I thought - well done united states govt!
Imagine my disappointment when I learned that the ban seems to only cover children’s toys - NOT adult ones. Booo-urns. Women AND children are the groups most affected by pthlatates - the highest levels are found in BOTH. And pthalates are nasty - they have been seen running in the same circles as breast cancer, birth defects and even decreased fertility and hormone problems in women.
This is some pretty heavy stuff, so I get why parents are freaking out about letting their kids chew on toys treated with pthalates - but, uh, what about the mommies (and potential mommies) who may be shoving sex toys treated with pthalates into their respective vaginas!
I am just stunned (or at least very disappointed) that this ban didn’t extend to sex toy production, even in some subtle way. I’m still holding out some hope that I just haven’t been able to find the article mentioning that the ban isn’t just for children’s toys.
Still, if my (or the US’) govt won’t look out for me, at least I can still look out for myself by avoiding the types of toys treated with pthalates. If a toy smells plastic-y then it probably has pthalates. Ideally, though, it’s a good idea to buy toys made of pthalate-free type material: stuff like silicone rubber, glass, wood, metal, or elastomers (this last one is porous so be careful) are all good.
Posted: August 19th, 2008 under health, masturbation, sex toys, vaginas.
Comments
Comment from Shay
Time August 19, 2008 at 9:14 am
I think sex toy manufacturers get away with a lot because they products are “novelties”.
Comment from badinfluencegirl
Time August 19, 2008 at 1:02 pm
i can’t comprehend why anyone reputable still stocks the known-bad toxic toys
i rilly rilly don’t
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Me either, I mean c’mon! - Shay
Comment from Freddy
Time August 19, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Yikes! Is the Fleshlight for guys safe? It claims to be made of something other than silicone.
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Don’t worry, I suspect the Fleshlight is made using an elastomer or something like that. On their site they answer whether the sleeve contains pthalates - spoiler alert: it doesn’t ^_~ - Shay
Comment from Sem
Time August 19, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Don’t forget about Bisphenol A, another nasty chemical in plastics.
And a lot of our food containers contain these chemicals, which kids also use.
Comment from A non-nymous
Time August 19, 2008 at 8:36 pm
That’s why children shouldn’t play with food! Anyway, since babies have to pass to your vagina, the ban should implicitely apply to sex toys, too.
Comment from single gal
Time August 19, 2008 at 11:55 pm
But Shay, aren’t adult toys just novelty toys? No one actually uses them, do they?
Yeah, that’s the excuse I heard from a sex toy vendor as to why governments don’t ban them. Things like the rabbit and others are classified as novelty toys.
Shame I say - shame!
Comment from Maddy
Time August 20, 2008 at 3:27 am
I agree that it’s a worry. Fortunately stores like Babeland are making an effort to inform us when toys aren’t safe. They re-released their Nubby G in a pthalate-free model.
More importantly, where do you get the adorable hentai girls you use as illustrations?
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That’s right, I’ve already tried and reviewed the new model: the stubby G. Where do I get the hentai girls? From the internets of course! ^_~ - Shay
Comment from Maikeru
Time August 20, 2008 at 3:36 am
Bisphenol A is definitely one that I’m very concerned about as it’s in everything. Most hard plastics that are in use today seem to have it. I may have to switch to those odd stainless steel water bottles that look like camping fuel bottles since I’m currently using a Lexan plastic Nalgene bottle for my gym/canteen bottle as due to ease of cleaning, high resistance to damage if dropped, and ability to hang from a strap—the steel ones are the only ones that have comparable abilities.
Now the question is if bisphenol A can pass into the blood stream via a blood vessel rich membrane and if that is also used in the aforementioned “adult novelties”.
Comment from Shay
Time August 20, 2008 at 10:37 am
I don’t think we have to worry too too much about Bisphenol A in our sex toys - since it does the opposite of pthalates (it hardens plastic) and that’s less desirable.
However, ever since MEC pulled their nalgene bottles, I am still stunned whenever I see someone still using one! I’ve switched to an acrylic bottle but the metal bottles are def a good way to go.
Comment from Maikeru
Time August 19, 2008 at 4:05 am
If it’s true that the ban does not extend to sex toys it would make all too much sense. Not to get too political, but I think including even “polite” terms for sex toys would cause quite a bit of controversy with those somewhat more conservative in their beliefs. Though I’m hoping that someone decided to word it as, “…all consumer products with the likely potential for particles to be ingested or otherwise cross into the bloodstream while being used as advertised…” If worded in that manner it doesn’t even have to refer to any specific usage, just the sort which would likely get the substance where it could be harmful.
Personally I just wish that they’d get lead out of some vinyl products used in the occasional electronics cable—an old housemate of mine managed to find a fairly common name-brand game controller for his computer that had a cable housing containing lead.