07 July,2011 12:00 PM IST | | AFP
Germany's Green Party has called for new laws regulating sex toys, which they say can contain high amounts of phthalates, a family of chemicals used to soften plastic, and other carcinogenic plasticizers that you might not want touching your privates.
According to Der Spiegel on July 1, German officials warn that these toxic substances can enter the body through mucous membranes and lead to a host of health problems, such as infertility, hormone imbalances, diabetes, and even obesity.
In 2004 the European Union banned phthalates in products intended for infants, and the US followed suit in 2008.
Denmark has responded to the sex toy warnings by advising that users cover dildos and vibrators with condoms for protection and avoid products made with PVC.
In the US sex toys are mostly unregulated, but US expert Stefanie Iris Weis, author of Eco-Sex: Go Green Between the Sheets and Make Your Love Life Sustainable, told iVillage that one tip is to give your sex toys the "sniff test," she says. "If it has new-car smell, put it down." Instead look for toys made from medical-grade silicone, she adds, and opt for vibrators with rechargeable batteries for a more eco-friendly choice.
Glass sex toys, commonly made from clear medical grade borosilicate or hard glass, are also marketed as a safe and nontoxic option. For more information, visit sex activist Lisa Lawless's online store Holistic Wisdom (https://www.holisticwisdom.com), which only carries sex toys deemed nontoxic.
