You would not expect to see toxic chemicals in children’s toys. We know that children are more vulnerable to hazardous substances than adults. Many poisonous substances may end up in a child’s toy box.
While some toys are entirely safe, others contain harmful chemicals. This article will explore ways to ensure your child’s toys do not expose them to toxic chemicals.
Why are there toxic materials in some toys?
All materials are toxic, including paints, glues, and hard plastics. Below we’ll discuss how to avoid these chemicals, but let’s first review the reasons why they are allowed in the first instance.
The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, passed by Congress in 2008, regulates toys. It made safety regulations mandatory and not voluntary. The law also banned small parts to prevent choking hazards. Toys sold in the U.S. were also required to be tested for safety by a third party.
Recalls of toys have been down since 2008. The regulations are only based on basic requirements, such as Lead, and do not cover other hazardous materials that may be used in toys. Many toys are imported from China, which has much more laxer regulations and can slip through the cracks in U.S. regulation. While the E.U. toy safety standards are strict, imported toys may not meet these criteria.
It’s essential to ensure that the toys you buy for your children are safe, even if they’re in a country with toy safety laws.
How to avoid toxic chemicals in toys
This section will discuss some common chemicals found in toys and how you can avoid them.
LEADThe use of Lead in paint was traditionally used to increase durability and speed drying. However, the amount of Lead is unsafe, especially for children most affected. Exposure to Lead can cause Lead toxicity, which can cause memory loss, weakness and kidney and brain damage at high levels.
Lead in painted toys is banned in some states, while others have a limit of.06 percent. In the past, toys sold in America contained higher levels of Lead, especially those imported from China.
Follow these steps to ensure that your child’s toys do not contain Lead.
Select toys made in the U.S.A., Canada or the EU. Imported toys contain more Lead. Avoid imported toys with flaking paint.
Purchase high-quality toys, especially jewelry. Lead has been found in cheap toy jewelry sold at vending machines. In 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 150 million pieces of toy jewelry sold in vending machines.
Do not buy toys made before 1978, when the United States first introduced regulations regarding Lead in toy paint.
When in doubt, toss it out. It is better to get rid of the toy rather than risk exposure to Lead.
PHTHALATES
Phthalates, a type of chemical, are used to make plastics more flexible, such as the plastics found in toys. It has been proven that phthalates can disrupt hormones and cause fertility issues. Exposure to phthalates in children has been associated with asthma and neurological disorders.
The CPSC has banned the use of five types of phthalates for all children’s toys in 2017. However, older toys could still contain phthalates. Only buy plastic toys made in the U.S. after 2018. Avoid toys imported from China or other developing countries as they are more likely to contain banned substances such as phthalates.
FLAME RETARDANTS
Chemical flame retardants prevent toys from catching on fire. They are used in all kinds of toys – from fabric stuffed toys to bath toys made from plastic. Chemical flame retardants are not as safe as they sound. One flame retardant has been found to alter DNA and may cause cancer. manufacturers removed chlorinated Tris in baby pajamas during the 1970s. However, it has never been banned and is still found in many household products, including toys.
Flame retardants are known to cause Cancer and hormonal disruption. They also cause neurological problems. researchers discovered that by 2020, flame retardants will surpass lead as the leading cause of I.Q. loss.
We must be extra cautious to avoid flame retardants until manufacturers stop using them. Here’s how:
Buy certified organic toys as they are free of flame retardants.
Check the label. Avoid anything with the word “flame resistant”. It’s safe if the label states that it does not contain flame retardant chemicals.
BPA
BPA was made famous in America several years ago, when people began to speak out against the use of BPA for water bottles and food plastics. BPA is a chemical used to harden plastics. These chemicals have been