Urbana, IL – Results from new testing released today show high levels
of phthalates, toxic compounds that have been linked to potential
harmful health effects, in popular children’s toys.
On the heels of testing done late last year that found toxic metals
such as cadmium and lead in toys made of PVC, the new testing for
plasticizers known as phthalates shows that many common toys contain
high levels of these toxic chemicals.
“These results show
the urgency of passing legislation this year to reduce the threat to
our health from common everyday products,” said Rep. Naomi Jakobsson.
“If children can be exposed to toxic chemicals leaching from toys, it’s
a clear sign that something is wrong with current chemical policies.”
“Rubber
Ducky isn’t so squeaky clean after all,” said Brian Imus, Director of
Illinois PIRG, a consumer advocacy organization. “In this day and age,
parents shouldn’t have to worry about toxic chemicals in the toys their
children are playing with.”
The report released today and authored by the Washington Toxics
Coalition, contains results from testing done on twenty toys commonly
available at retailers including Toys “R” Us, Target, Kmart, Wal-Mart,
Rite Aid, and dollar stores. Toys were screened for the presence of PVC
using an XRF analyzer and then submitted for laboratory testing by STAT
Analysis of Chicago to determine the presence and levels of 17
phthalates using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. All toys tested
could be used by young children, including those under age three.
Key findings
- Nearly half of the toys tested contained phthalates.
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Most of the toys testing positive for phthalates had high levels of the
chemicals, including a green ball purchased at Toys “R” Us,
Target-brand penguin and “Baby I’m Yours” doll, and a dinosaur figurine
from Wal-Mart.
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Some manufacturers may have phased out the use of phthalates. Toys
testing free of phthalates included a doll by a European manufacturer
as well as popular products by toy giant Mattel including Barbie, Ariel
and Dora dolls, and Winnie-the-Pooh and Elmo squeeze toys.
The Child-Safe Chemicals Act, introduced by Rep. Naomi Jakobsson, Rep.
Elaine Nekritz and Senator Dan Kotowski would put Illinois on track to
address the problems found in this study. It would take immediate
action to ban lead, cadmium, bisphenol-A and phthalates from toys,
start the process of identifying other hazards in toys, and gives
parents the information they need to make safer choices.
“The legislation is intended to help parents make informed decisions about their children’s safety,” said Rep. Naomi Jakobsson.
Decades of laboratory research have shown that phthalates can derail
normal development of the male reproductive system, and studies in
people are beginning to confirm the effects at current exposure levels.
Because of concern over the reproductive impacts, the European Union,
Japan, Mexico and the state of California have already banned
phthalates from toys. In early March, both the Washington State
legislature and the U.S. Senate passed similar bans.
