Are plastic toys safe?

Are plastic toys safe?
What are phthalates?
Who let all these chemicals into baby toys anyway?

We hear so many questions about the safety of plastic toys. Readers ask things like, “This says it’s free from BPA and phthalates, but what is it actually made of?” or “I’ve heard about BPA-free baby bottles and water bottles, but I don’t really understand what BPA was, or why it was harmful.”

What Type Of Plastic Are Toys Made From?

The combination of a few chemicals, mostly found in PVC plastics, is what makes plastic toys dangerous for kids and babies. And some of the danger comes from the way the toys are used – and whether it ends up in a child’s mouth.

The chemicals added to PVC make it the most toxic plastic. Just about every soft plastic toy is made with PVC.  Even worse, you’ll find it in infant items like teething rings, bath toys, and squeeze toys.  One of the most harmful effects of plastic toys and the biggest safety risk with these toxins is that they can leach out – especially when babies or children put the toys in their mouths.

Related: It’s Never Too Early To Baby Proof

Harmful additives to PVC:

• Phthalates (pronounced thay-lates) give a plastic toy its soft, squishy feel.  These are the gender-bending culprits you’ve heard of – endocrine disruptors. Phthalates not only upset the body’s hormonal balance, they’ve also been found to stimulate the growth of cancers.
• Cadmium is a plastic stabilizer. A known carcinogen, cadmium also affects normal brain growth and can cause kidney damage.
• Lead is used to make plastic toys more durable. Lead affects the nervous system and has been linked to hearing loss, ADHD, and decreased IQ. It’s also a concern because children absorb and retain lead in their systems more easily than adults.
• BPA (Bisphenol A) is found in plastic toys, sippy cups, plastic bottles, and canned food lining. It’s considered more of a danger when the child chews on it, so the main concern with BPA has been on food and drink products. But if your child is prone to chewing on toys (and what baby isn’t?) it’s best to avoid plastic toys for that stage.

Since 2007 – the year of the lead toys recall – safety standards have improved. While it would make our lives easier to just know that products manufactured for babies and children are regulated, unfortunately, it’s still up to the parent to watch what comes into their homes and toy boxes.

In October 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted to ban five more harmful phthalate chemicals from plastic used in children’s toys after a lawsuit brought by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Justice Health Alliance and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.

So aside from buying all wooden toys, what can you do to make sure your child’s toys are safe?

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  • Only allow your baby to teethe or chew on natural, uncoated wood or a frozen washcloth.
  • Sign up for recall updates from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).  You’ll find the latest information on which toys were recalled and why.
  • Call or email the manufacturers of your child’s favorite toys to check if they comply (or are above) current toy safety standards.
  • When plastic toys are your only option, go with PVC-free and BPA-free toys, not just for your own children, but for every gift you buy.
  • Talk to other parents. Sometimes just bringing up the topic of toy safety at a birthday party helps you realize you’re not alone in wondering what’s best for your child. You may also help educate a fellow parent, which could lead to a healthier family in the long run.

Related: Why and How to Raise Earth-Conscious Kids

Polypropylene Toys

One of the safest plastics for toys is polypropylene. Polypropylene is heat resistant and is unlikely to leach even when exposed to warm or hot water. It’s also approved for use with food and beverage storage.

If you inspect toy labels, you’ll rarely find the type of plastics used in manufacturing listed. For favorite toys that you’re not ready to part with, you can contact the manufacturer to confirm the plastic makeup.

A Word About LEGOs

It was a big relief for us to find out LEGOs don’t contain PVC or phthalates, and that generally they exceed safety standards. In other good news, LEGO is transitioning to plant-based bricks.

If you saved LEGOs from your childhood, make sure they were manufactured after 1981 before sharing them with your little ones. LEGO historian Gary Istok wrote that by the 1980s, all LEGO bricks were cadmium free. Roar Rude Trangbæk, a spokesperson for LEGO said that in regards to hazardous elements, the company “phased that material out back in 1979 to 1981.” (source)

Safe Alternatives to Plastic Toys

If you still don’t feel comfortable with what your research finds, you may decide it’s best to avoid plastic (and plastic-ish) toys altogether. You can opt for wooden, paper toys, natural art supplies, play silks, wooden puzzles, or silicone toys (especially for a teething baby).

noP is a great example of anti-plastic toy company. noP has been focused on children’s health and provide non-toxic toys. We’re available to answer any questions, and we know what goes into the toys we make. Plus, you can feel good about supporting another family when you buy safe toys for your child.

Reference: https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/plastic-toys/