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Frequently Asked Questions


 

Are the chemicals tested for in HealthyToys.org the only chemicals of concern in children's toys?

No. The rapid screening technology used for HealthyToys.org can identify the presence and concentration of some chemicals of concern. Toys may contain other hazardous materials that this technology is not designed to identify. Other chemicals of concern in children’s products include Bisphenol A and phthalates, which cannot be detected by the XRF machine. HealthyToys.org is a first step in providing information to parents on the chemicals in kids' products

What should I do if I already own a toy that has a high level of lead in it?

HealthyToys.org recommends that you remove the toy from your home.

Should my child be tested for lead if he or she has played with a toy that was found to contain high levels of lead?

Parents should consult with their pediatrician to determine whether a lead test for their child is warranted. The detection of lead in a product does not necessarily mean there has been exposure. It is important to remember that toys and childcare articles are just one source of lead exposure for kids. Children are exposed to lead from other sources as well. For tips on reducing lead exposure for children and pregnant women, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/tips.htm. or the American Academy of Pediatrics, Toy Safety Resource.

Is lead paint still the most important source of lead exposure for children?

Yes. Generally, the largest risk of lead exposure for children comes from lead paint in older homes. Please consult the Centers for Disease Control website for tips on reducing lead exposure for children and pregnant women, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/tips.htm.

However, the risk from lead and other hazardous chemicals in toys is real. In particular, metal jewelry with high levels of lead or cadmium, if swallowed by a child, can be very hazardous. The contribution of toys to the overall level of hazardous chemicals in children is not known, and will vary depending on the child's behavior and the products to which they are exposed. HealthyToys.org believes these exposures are completely avoidable and therefore unnecessary, and toy manufacturers should remove hazardous chemicals from children's products.

How can parents choose safer toys?

HealthyToys.org offers tips to help parents choose safer products. It is also important to check toys at home against government recall lists. However, the only way to assure safe toys for everyone is for the government to properly regulate chemicals in products. Citizen pressure is important to make the government and toy manufacturers bring safer toys to market. Please refer to the Take Action link on this site for information on ways to add your voice to those calling for reform.

How do I find out about product recalls?

For information on all product recalls, see: http://www.recalls.gov/. For the latest on toy recalls, see: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html. For all lead recalls, see http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/Recalls/allhazards.htm. If you suspect that a toy is unsafe, or to report an unsafe product, contact the CPSC on the internet, or by phone: http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html or 1-800-636-CPSC. To receive email recall alerts from Consumer Product Safety Commission http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Why focus on PVC?

From production to disposal, PVC is associated with the use and release of hazardous chemicals.

During the production phase, workers at PVC facilities, as well as residents in surrounding areas, may be exposed to vinyl chloride (the building block of PVC) and/or dioxin (an unwanted byproduct of PVC production), both of which are carcinogens. At the end of a product's life, PVC can create dioxin when burned. PVC is not easily recycled. Lead and other metals are sometimes used as a stabilizer or to impart other properties to PVC plastic.

Because PVC is an inherently brittle material, it requires additives to make it flexible and to impart other properties. Another group of additives that can be found in some PVC products are phthalates. Phthalates are used as a softening agent to make the plastic flexible. Over 90% of all phthalates are used in PVC products.

safetyWhy are phthalates a concern?

Phthalates can harm reproductive development, especially in boys. They have also been linked to asthma. As of February 2009, childcare products (products for children under three years of age) and children’s toys (toys produced for children under twelve years of age) containing concentrations of DEHP, BBP, and DBP (three different types of phthalates) greater than 0.1% will be considered banned hazardous materials. Three additional phthalates, DINP, DnOP, and DIDP in concentrations greater than 0.1% will be placed on a provisional ban and re-evaluated for their safety (CPSIA 2008).

Why is lead a concern?

Lead can harm brain development, with effects including reduced IQ, shorter attention span, and delayed learning. There is no safe level of lead. As of February 2009, products containing a concentration of lead—both in the paint and in the product itself—greater than 600 ppm shall be listed as banned hazardous substances. This limit shall be lowered to 300 ppm as of August 2009 and 100 ppm as of August 2011. The CPSC has the right to decrease the amount of allowable lead as it sees fit and in accordance with technology at the time (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, CPSIA 2008). According to the CPSIA, electronic toys in the United States are exempt from the lead ban, though this is subject to change by the CPSC as technology improves (CPSIA 2008).

Why is cadmium a concern?

Cadmium is a known human carcinogen, and can harm the kidneys and lungs. It can have adverse effects on motor skills and behavior.

What if my toy is not listed on HealthyToys.org?

You can nominate your toy to be tested by visiting the Test My Toy page on the site. HealthyToys.org will test the top nominees each week leading up to Christmas. You can sign up to receive email updates announcing the results of these additional tests.

What else can I do to protect my kids?

Call the manufacturer and ask them to reformulate their products to eliminate chemicals of concern, disclose the ingredients in the their products, and sign on to reform principles. But the most importantly, thing you can do is demand strong government policies because this is the only way to truly solve this problem. You can also find out if there may be is a toy testing event in your state.

Are newer toys safer than older toys?

HealthyToys.org did not sample older toys. Many older toys - those made before anti-lead paint regulations enacted in 1978- were coated with lead paint. Still our researchers found a surprising number of toys purchased in 2008 that contain lead as well as other chemicals.

Are less expensive toys more likely than name-brand toys to contain toxic chemicals?

Lead and other chemicals have been found in all types of toys from all types of stores. Even name-brand and high-end toys have been found to contain lead and other hazards.

Are toys made in the USA safer than those made in other countries?

Eighty percent of all toys purchased in the U.S. are made in China. Therefore, the majority of toys that we tested were from China. HealthyToys.org has not found a consistent correlation between the country of manufacture and the presence of toxic chemicals in toys. 21% of toys from China and 16% of those from all other countries had detectable levels of lead in 2008. 17 toys manufactured in the U.S. were sampled and 35% of those had detectable levels of lead. Seven toys (2%) had levels above 600 ppm. One of the highest lead levels detected (190,943 ppm) was on a Halloween Pumpkin Pin made in the USA. In February 2009, the U.S. government will begin to phase in new restrictions on lead and some phthalates in children's products. While these regulations are intended to become more stringent in the future, the U.S. does not currently regulate any other chemicals in kids' products.

Can I test toys myself?

Lead-testing kits are widely available, but consumers should be aware that they can provide both false positives and false negatives. Kits may provide a screening tool, but should not be used as an absolute determination of safety. Consumer Reports has rated home lead testing kits. For their recommendations, see: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2007/10/testing-the-lea.html. The CPSC also recently tested lead testing kits. For their recommendations, see: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08038.html. More accurate results can be provided by a testing organization with an XRF analyzer or throughlaboratory testing (which is expensive). Some local health departments have an XRF that can test toys. There may also be a toy testing event in your area. Please check our listings of toy testing events.

IMPORTANT NOTE: HealthyToys.org ratings do not provide a measure of health risk or chemical exposure associated with any individual toy or children’s product, or any individual element or related chemical. Follow this link to read more.