Tip 9: PVC: Not a Toy

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Dr. Harvey Karp

Thursday, October 05, 2006

You would certainly think that all baby toys would be made out of non-toxic materials...but that is not always the case. Many flexible plastic toys are made of a hard plastic called vinyl that is turned into a soft, squishy plastic by combining it with softening agents called "plasticizers" (they may contain up to 50% plasticizer).

Unfortunately many plasticizers, also known as "phthalates", can easily be sucked and chewed out of the plastic toy, the way you can chew flavor out of a piece of gum. (The sweet smell from a new soft plastic toy comes from the phthalates simply evaporating out of the plastic). Studies have shown that some phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption, kidney and liver damage, cancer and respiratory ailments such as asthma.

Since 1998, toy manufacturers have been asked to voluntarily phase out the use of phthalates in teething toys. But, they are still in use in toys that are not strictly for teething (like some rubber duckies) and even teething toys that are made in some foreign countries.

Toy manufacturers have absolutely refused to label their toys to help parents choose the best toy for their baby. So, we must all be a little bit careful when purchasing or using toys given to you by others as gifts:

Take these Steps to provide the safest play toys for your child.

Natural (unpainted, unvarnished) wooden toys, cloth toys and even hard plastic toys are safer choices.
Take our “Shopping for Toys” Check List with you to the store.
Learn more about ways to make smart choices and avoid PVC. For general information on toys you can visit the Health eHouse link here.