Testing Children's Toys for Harmful Chemicals
HealthyToys.org is a Helpful Resource for Determining Product Safety
Jan 4, 2009
Levels of harmful chemicals in toys and other products for children are a growing concern for parents. Unfortunately, the governments of America and Canada aren’t doing enough to prevent these toxic products from ending up on store shelves, so using other methods of determining safety has become necessary.
HealthyToys.org
The website HealthyToys.org was created to provide parents, grandparents and others who care about the health and safety of children with a place to start in their search for safe, quality toys and products, while informing them of the worst offenders in terms of toxicity. Consumers can browse toys by brand or type, or they can search for a specific toy. If the toy they are looking for isn’t on the website, they can suggest it for testing. The site also includes a list of the Best and Worst Toys.
Harmful Chemicals in Kids’ Products
HealthyToys.org uses rapid screening technology to test for several “chemicals of concern” in toys and children’s products. Each of the over 1,500 products tested on the site are given an overall rating of Low, Medium or High, as well as individual ratings for levels of Lead, Bromine, Cadmium, Chlorine, Arsenic and Mercury. HealthyToys.org admits that these are not the only harmful chemicals contained in children’s products, but they focused on the chemicals that could be detected by XRF technology.
While HealthyToys.org is careful to point out that the presence of these chemicals in a product does not guarantee direct exposure and that children are exposed to similar chemicals by a variety of other sources, the standard list of chemicals they test for are some of the most harmful.
Lead: Exposure to lead can inhibit brain development, which could result in lower IQs, shorter attention spans and learning difficulties. Excessive amount of lead exposure can also cause muscle weakness, anemia and kidney damage.
Bromine: Bromine is used to produce fire-retardant chemicals known as brominated flame retardants (BFRs), the most widely used of which are called polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs). Exposure to PBDEs can result in several problems in the brain development of a fetus, as well as reproductive problems and birth defects.
Cadmium: Cadmium is carcinogenic and can have harmful effects on kidneys and lungs. It can also negatively affect motor skills and behaviour.
Chlorine: A high level of chlorine detected in a product indicates that PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or vinyl has been used. PVC is extremely harmful to the environment and human health at all stages of production. Vinyl chloride, a building block of PVC, and dioxin, a byproduct of PVC production, are carcinogens.
Arsenic: There are two types of arsenic: organic and inorganic. Organic arsenic is less toxic, but animal testing has suggested that acute ingestion can lead to diarrhea and chronic exposure may result in kidney damage. Depending on exposure, inorganic arsenic can cause skin irritation, skin color changes, blood disorders, cardiovascular diseases and hormone disruption. It is a carcinogen that may be linked to lung, skin and bladder cancer. Low levels of arsenic consumption may lead to type 2 diabetes and inorganic arsenic may affect fetal brain development and lower intelligence.
Mercury: Mercury builds up in the body and its toxic effects can damage kidneys and the nervous system.
Take Action against Toxic Toys
The website, HealthyToys.org, has some suggestions for consumers who want to take action against toxic toys.
Contact The Government: It is imperative to let the government know that its citizens are concerned about the lack of regulation in the area of toxic chemicals in products. Contact your state, provincial and/or federal representatives to encourage better testing.
Contact Toy Manufacturers: HealthyToys.org features a petition encouraging the largest toy manufacturers and retailers to adopt a corporate chemicals policy and begin to create toys that are safe for children. Consumers can also contact toy companies directly.
Buy Toys Safely: HealthyToys.org offers practical tips for choosing safe toys and reducing exposure to products containing harmful chemicals.
Stay Informed: Concerned consumers can sign up to receive updates from HealthyToys.org and/or visit government websites for lists of recalled products.
Donate: HealthyToys.org needs donations to continue the work they are doing to keep children’s products safe.
Spread The Word: Tell everyone you know to visit HealthyToys.org and other sites designed to keep consumers informed on the dangers of harmful chemicals in toys.
Keeping Kids Safe
Anyone who has spent anytime with babies and children knows that any object in their general vicinity usually ends up in their mouths eventually. It's up to the adults in their world to make sure that the toys they play with are safe and made of quality materials. HealthyToys.org is just a first step to ensuring that the right products are chosen for children.
