Toy Poisoning

Toxic ingestion can occurs when younger children put toys containing toxins such as lead in the paint or phthalates in the plastic toys, into their mouths. Lead poisoning can lead to death and neurological disorders in young children. General population has better awareness to the lead poisoning and routine blood lead level in young children is examined by pedestrians in the US. Phthalates, a group of hazardous chemicals known to cause reproductive abnormalities, are widespread in all the house products, however, their toxicity are not commonly mentioned.

Young children are susceptible to toy poisoning because of (1) the immature bodies that are vulnerable to small amounts of toxins, and (2) their irresistible craving to put everything into their mouth during teething.

Phthalates are used as plasticizers to increase flexibility, softy and transparency of plastic products. It is found everywhere in modern society such as toys, teeters, food packages, hoses, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, lubricants, hair spray and shampoo (case study: phthalates in www.chemicalbodyburden.org). Phthalates can cause reduction in sperm counter, atrophy of reproductive system, hormonal imbalance and cancers etc. In a society full of plastic products, it is hard but people should try the best to eliminate the use of harmful plastic.

A number of baby products are reported to contain phthalates (Baby Center) including: plastic baby bottles, plastic matters, baby lotions and shampoos.

Top 10 most toxic toys lised in greendivamom.com.

1. Totally me! Dressy Rainbow Jewelry (Geoffrey Inc).
   


2. Hannah Motana's " 2 hearts and HM graphic Necklace" (Dinsey).
   


3. Road Racers with Play mat (Wholesale Merchandisers, Inc)
   


4. Lightning McQueen Racing Chair (Disney)
   


5. Lift-it Luke (Ravensburger F.X. Schmid, USA Inc.)
   


6. High School Musical Crown Necklace (Disney)
   


7. Best Friends Bands (bracelets, Alex Panline USA Inc.)
   


8. Ball Track-large basic Set (Habermaass Corp)
   


9. Eight Mini Twist-up Crayons (Alex Panline USA, Inc.)
   


10. Bath letters and numbers (The Little Tikes)
    

Toxic Toys (Masspirg.org)

Toxic Toys? (PBS.org)

Toxic chemicals in toys (healthy stuff.org)

Toy Recalls of 2009 (parents.com)

Toy recalls (GetRecall.com)