Putting Toxic Toys to Rest
By Laurine Brown, PhD
It's about time. Time for gifts, toys, tiny tots. And time for toxins in toys (like lead and phthalates) to be out of the hands and mouths of our kids. Last year Americans saw an unprecedented recall on lead-tainted toys, shattering our confidence in the safety of mass-produced toys. A glimpse at the toxic toy line-up is enough to make any parent cringe:
o 45 million playthings containing high lead levels were recalled in 2007, including Thomas the Tank Engine, Dora the Explorer, and Big Bird. Lead is a known neurotoxin that can cause learning disabilities and behavioral problems even in tiny quantities. We've known this for a long time. In fact lead paint on toys has been illegal in the US for 30 years. Despite safety pledges, 2008 recalls continue, with items like Tinker Bell wands and more than 50,000 key chain and jewelry sets sold at Wal-Mart.
o Research suggests a correlation between high levels of phthalates in mother's bodies and problems with genital development in their baby boys, and reduced testosterone and sperm counts in rodents. Phthalates help to soften vinyl plastics like teethers and soft toys but it's also found in personal care products like baby lotions, powders and shampoos. Exposures are widespread with 100% of infants in a 2008 study published in Pediatrics found to have phthalates in their bodies. Phthalates have been banned in Europe and, interestingly, Chinese factories have had dual production lines, one with phthalates for the US market, and one without, for Europe.
o Bisphenol-A (BPA) is another concerning chemical, found in polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and sippy cups. According to the National Toxicology Center, “the possibility that BPA may alter human development cannot be dismissed.” Exposures are also widespread. The Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93% of Americans over 6 years old (but younger kids haven't been tested yet).
The good news is that toxin levels in American toys are dropping. Recently, a nonprofit environmental group The Ecology Center tested about 1,500 toys for a variety of chemicals, including lead, arsenic, cadmium and found about one-third to have significant levels (down from about 50% last year - see www.healthytoys.org.). Lead was detected in 20% of the toys (down from 35% last year). Still, levels remain unacceptable. A long overdue law signed in August 2008 by the President banning lead and several phthalates from US toys and baby products will hopefully further detox our toy shelves. Unfortunately, the law doesn't take effect until 2009 (and doesn't include BPA). The unintended consequence of this important ban may be stores stocking soon-to-be illegal toxic toys, priced to sell, for bargain-hunting Holiday shoppers. Clearly, despite laws in our favor, shoppers need to beware. Here are things you can do to reduce exposure to toxins in toys:
CHOOSE
o Golden Rule: Toys from natural materials like solid wood (either unfinished or with non-toxic finish), fabric (organic cotton, hemp, wool), or bamboo.
o Products made in US, Canada, Japan or Europe (other countries may have lax safety regulations). Call the manufacturer if you have questions.
o ACMI AP certification (non-toxic craft supplies)
o Creative reuse. Can something you already have be used as a toy? An empty box or set of stainless steel bows can provide hours of happy play.
AVOID:
o New plastic toys, especially vinyl or PVC (#3) ones which likely contain lead and phthalates. When in doubt, smell it! Toxic softeners in plastics give them that “new” smell. For this seasons vinyl and lead- free toys, email info@greenerpenny.com.
o Used toys made of plastic, painted wood, or metal. Check labels for assurances that paints and finishes are nontoxic and call the manufacturer if you have questions.
o Lots of wasteful packaging.
o Cheap children's jewelry and jewelry craft kits (often contain high levels of lead)
o Play cosmetics (often contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals)
o Antique painted furniture of all kinds, but especially children's (often high levels of lead)
o Search www.healthytoys.org, an excellent database on toxicity of toys. All have been tested for lead (using X-ray Fluorescence XRF spectroscopy) and PVC (thus, a good sign contains phthalates).
o Check for recalled toys. See Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) list @ www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html (check by month) and www.recalls.gov, or call them at 800-638-2772.
For more information:
o Print the Healthy Toys Pocket Shopping Guide http://healthychild.org/uploads/File/PocketGuide_Toys.pdf
o Watch PBS “Toxic Toys?” from the PBS series NOW at www.pbs.org/now/shows/412/index.html.
o To learn more about phthalates and BPA from the CDC's body burden studies, see www.cdc.gov/exposurereport.

References
Pennybacker, M. “The Long Goodbye to Toxic Toys.” Mothering Magazine, No 151, Nov-Dec 2008.
o Anderson, M. “Group Finds Fewer Toys with High Lead Levels.” The Pantagraph, Bloomington IL Dec 4, 2008.
o Sorenson, J. “Banned Toys for Sale: What to Watch Out For and What to Buy.” Healthy Child Healthy World. Nov 20,2008 @ http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/banned_toys_for_sale_what_to_watch_out_for_and_what_to_buy/