Toxic Toys

We've all been alarmed by the recent reports about lead in toys, but there are many other toxic chemicals used in baby and children's toys, including phthalates, cadmium, chlorine, and arsenic. Soft squeeze toys and bath toys are likely made from PVC with added phthalates that off-gas. In order to make toys more flame retardant, durable, flexible, or rigid, manufacturers add chemicals to the fabric, paint and plastic materials. Babies are exposed to these chemicals when they put the toxic toys in their mouths. They can also be exposed from breathing the air around the toxic toys.

Alternatives to Toxic Toys - Find Non Toxic, Safe, Green Toys

Try to find toys that are not plastic. The safest toys are made of unfinished solid wood, preferably certified sustainably-produced hardwoods. These certified woods permit forest regeneration and ensure preservation of old-growth and endangered trees. If the wood used in the toy is finished, it should be a natural oil finish, such as beeswax, linseed or walnut oil. The paint or coatings on metal or wood toys can possibly contain lead. Choose solid wood over plywood or particleboard, since these pressed woods can contain formaldehyde and have toxic glues that off-gas.

Most stuffed animals and soft fabric toys are made with synthetic materials that are treated with various chemicals to make them stain resistant or fire retardant.  Choose stuffed animals and fabric teethers that are made of all natural, untreated fibers, preferably certified organic cotton with non-toxic dyes.

Other products that are likely to be made of vinyl (PVC) are baby books, bibs, diaper covers, and rain gear. See our information about PVC in baby mattresses in this report. Also beware of magnetic toys where the magnets can be swallowed and cause serious injuries.

See our list of online stores where you can find non-toxic, safe, healthy toys and other green gift ideas:

Organic Shopping and Green Gift Ideas

The good news is that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was passed on July 30, 2008. This law is an attempt to eliminate lead and phthalates from children's products and gives the CPSC more resources and authority to conduct recalls and other actions. Although standards are now beginning to change, improvements to products in stores will take some time so it's still important to be vigilant in checking out new toys and other baby products. Not all toxic phthalates have been banned, and it may take years before all products containing phthalates are off the store shelves. It usually takes some time for government agencies to work out all the issues involved in protecting the public.

See our update on this and California's new law

2009 Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys

The Ecology Center, a Michigan-based nonprofit organization, and partners across the country have released the 3rd Annual Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys at www.HealthyStuff.org. One in three toys tested this year still contained one or more harmful chemical including lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury. 18% of the products tested still contained lead. Many plastic toys still contain PVC.

This year at HealthyStuff.org, holiday shoppers can search for toys by product name, UPC code, product type, manufacturer, or retailer to easily find products that have No, Low, Medium, or High levels of toxic chemicals. Also available is a personalized holiday wish list that can be sent to family and friends, blog-friendly widgets in English and Spanish, a mobile application, and quick searches for toy rankings via SMS texting in English and Spanish.

http://www.healthytoys.org/

2009 Trouble in Toyland Report

U.S. PIRG has released their Trouble in Toyland report, to evaluate which toys are safe -- and which aren't.

Trouble in Toyland: The 24th Annual Survey of Toy Safety

Along with this report, US PIRG is launching a new interactive Web site. It works on your smart phone, so you can check a toy's safety or report hazardous, toxic toys while you shop. https://www.uspirg.org/action/toy-safety-taf2

Make smart, non toxic toy purchases by visiting www.ToySafety.mobi from your smart phone or home computer to check on toy hazards and report dangerous toys while you shop.

Back to Protect Your Baby from Toxic Exposures Report