In addition to phthalates, heavy metals like lead and cadmium are added to make the more rigid type of PVC used in older kids' toys. Like phthalates, these chemicals can also leach out and cause damage.
There are lots of alternatives to PVCs, including polypropylene, polyethylene, EPM, EPDM, EVA, bio-based plastics, and of course wood and textiles. So babies and kids can still have lots of toys without the toxins. Unfortunately, it seems to be rare that toy packaging indicates exactly what the product is made of ... so it might be handy to have a list of manufacturers of PVC-free toys ... like this one from the Oregon Toxics Alliance:
- Small World Toys (makes PVC-free teething toys and “Gertie” balls)
- Early Start
- BRIO Corporation
- APRICA Kassai Incorporated
- Lamaze Infant Development
- Little Tikes (Rubbermaid)
- Ravensburger
- Turner Toys
- Lego Toys
A little more info here. YouTube video of protest against Target with giant inflatable PVC-free rubber ducky here.
2 comments:
What ever happened to good ol' wooden toys? I remember having an alternative fuel (rubber band) paddlewheel boat as a kid that my grandfather made me. Oh, the good times I had in that bathtub!
What about those toxins at the point of production? And extraction?
(Could you add dates to your posts?)
I could add dates to the posts, but I won't, because then everyone could see how lazy I am when I go weeks without posting anything. ;) But I'm due May 30, and a pregnancy is 40 weeks long, so you can count back. It'll be fun.
Wooden toys are great. I'd love to have wooden toys. But squirty bath toys are also great, so I'm glad you can get some that aren't made of poison (yeah, yeah, I hear you about point of production and extraction, and what about disposal -- you're even more of a downer than me!)
Post a Comment