New Research Finds More Potentially Harmful Chemicals In Toys

Health hazards likely due to the presence of harmful chemicals in plastic toys.

We all are aware that plastic toys contain harmful chemicals. However, did you know that there could be more than 100 new chemicals in plastic toys that could jeopardize your child’s health?

Generally, the ‘chemicals of concern’ mentioned in toys are focused on a known substance called phthalates, and this is mainly covered as per international agreement. However, a wider group of chemicals are contained in plastic toys, which are commonly not highlighted.

What Does The Research Say?

The researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have analyzed the data according to the chemical functions and the quantity of which is found in the plastic toys. They then identified the chemicals according to the general health risks, and then a comparison was made with the current priority chemical list from all over the world. This research is available as open-source in the ‘Environment International’ journal.

Out of the 419 chemicals which are found in hard and soft plastic materials in children’s toys, 126 new chemicals have been identified, which may potentially contain health hazards, having both cancerous and non-cancerous effects. To come in the bracket of harmful substance means that the doses of the substance exceed the RFD (Regulatory reference dose) or that the risk of cancer exceeds the limit set as a threshold.

As per the research, it has been noted that children are exposed to an average of 18 kilograms of plastic toys. This highlights the fact that kids are surrounded by heavy doses of plastic daily, anyway. Also, the usage of chemicals like phthalates and brominated flame retardants is common. However, disturbing is the inclusion of two plasticizers, namely butyrate and TXIB and citrate ATBC, which are alternates to regulated chemicals and are dangerous.

The Way Ahead:

The problem that the modern world is facing is that there is no reliable metric to quantify the safe zone in the chemicals present in plastic toys. As per the research, there should be a maximum acceptable chemical content (MACC) which will not only set a benchmark for the amount of chemicals used but will also force various toy companies to investigate the chemical composition found in their respective toys.

For parents as common citizens, it is a tough road ahead until such regulations are imposed on all the substances identified. Till such time, it becomes almost impossible to avoid plastic toys that contain high amounts of harmful chemicals. What is advised from the researchers is to avoid using such plastic toys, especially soft plastics, and to keep the room where the kids play to be sufficiently ventilated.

Source: Technical University of Denmark

Research Journal reference: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106194

The researchers from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) have found more potentially harmful chemicals in Toys. The dangers of these chemicals might cause health hazards on the kid’s health.

Health hazards likely due to the presence of harmful chemicals in plastic toys.