NEW YORK - MSNBC's contributing columnist Brian Alexander reported on the burgeoning concern revolving around sex-toy safety in his June 21 Sexploration column, titled "When Sex Toys Turn Green."
The report, which explores the use of phthalates in the manufacturing of sex toys, including scientific facts from the CDC, refers to the issue as being a "quiet revolution" in the sex-toy business. Alexander's column also noted that even though scientists cannot yet say whether exposure is bad for humans, some adult retailers have responded to the issue, such as Good Vibrations.
Good Vibrations' staff sexologist, Dr. Carol Queen, is quoted in the report as saying, "There is enough there to make us say, ‘let's be on the safe side and not worry anymore.'" Good Vibrations in March announced a company-wide decision to cease sales of any adult novelties containing phthalates. However, as pointed out in Alexander's report, the adult novelty manufacturer has recommended the use of a condom over toys since 1994.
The Sexploration column additionally reported that some in the industry believe the fears to be overblown, such as Richard Longhurst, the founder of U.K.-based LoveHoney, who was quoted as saying, "The issue is more important to the media and some vocal retail outlets in the U.S. than to consumers. You could chop eight of my fingers off and I could still count on one hand the number of customer inquires we've ever had about phthalates."
In the column, Anne Semans, marketing director for Babeland, stated that Babeland's employees try to educate consumers about sex-toy ingredients and point out alternative options; however, the decision ultimately rests on shoppers' shoulders.
The article also featured a live survey that resulted in 54 percent of consumers who took part in the survey saying they would be willing to pay more for sex toys that are phthalate-free; 24 percent saying this is much ado about nothing; and 22 percent saying they do not purchase sex toys.
Alexander was reported to have dropped by the offices of Tantus Inc. a few months back to "get to the bottom of the ‘phthalates in sex toys controversy,'" according to a press release submitted by Tantus, one of the top manufacturers of silicone sex toys. Tantus Chief Executive Officer Michael Smith pointed out that MSNBC's coverage of the issue proves the issue to be "more than just a marketing point" and stated the coverage "makes the team at Tantus proud to be the industry leader in nontoxic healthy [for the body] toys."
Alexander's Sexploration column runs biweekly on Thursdays on MSNBC's website. Visit MSNBC to view the entire sex-toy safety report.
