Are hand me down toys safe?
(Reuters Health) – Children who play with second-hand plastic toys may be exposed to unsafe levels of chemicals like lead and cadmium that have been linked to developmental problems and organ damage, a UK study suggests.
Are plastic toys toxic?
Not only are they usually unhygienic, but researchers found chemical pollutants in many different types of plastic toys, balls, rubber duckies, jump ropes, and swim toys. If possible, avoid all plastic toys for infants and newborns. Research has found most toys contain chemicals toxic to humans, according to the EPA.
Is it safe to play with lead toys?
Although lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell, exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health. Young children tend to put their hands, toys, or other objects―which may be made of lead or contaminated with lead or lead dust―into their mouths.
What is wrong with plastic toys?
Although there are EU regulations for which toxins may or may not be included in toys, there are products that can slip through the cracks. Plastic toys may, for example, be made of, or contain, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which contains lead and cadmium — both toxins that are harmful to children.
What chemicals are in your child’s toys?
In many of the toys, the researchers found traces of elements such as antimony, barium, bromine, cadmium, chromium, lead, and selenium. Here is just a handful of the children’s toys that were used in the study. Over time, all of the above can be toxic. Often, these chemicals were found in toys that were yellow, red, or black.
How does bromine work and how dangerous is it?
Bromine works by directly irritating the skin, mucous membranes, and tissues. The seriousness of poisoning caused by bromine depends on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical condition of the person exposed.
Why are chewable toys dangerous for children?
They are dangerous for all age groups, but particularly so for children because their metabolism is running at a higher rate and they are growing quickly. Also, because children often put toys in their mouths, the risk is increased further.
What does bromine look like?
It has a brownish-red color with a bleach-like odor, and it dissolves in water. Bromine is found naturally in the earth’s crust and in seawater in various chemical forms.