Toxic Toys in the Closet

Dangerous Additives to Plastic Toys
A Greenpeace investigation revealed that toys made of soft PVC plastic (better known as vinyl) contain dangerous additives that can leak out of the plastic and be ingested by children. These chemicals, which include lead, cadmium, and toxic softeners, may cause permanent damage to the brain, liver and reproductive system. When you see a "non-toxic" label on a toy, you assume that toy is safe for your child. The label, however, might be deceptive.

What's Wrong With PVC Plastic?
Throughout its lifecycle, PVC plastic (vinyl) is the worst plastic for the environment because it is the only common plastic produced using chlorine. When PVC plastic is produced and burned (either accidentally or intentionally), the chlorine content produces dioxin, the most poisonous synthetic substance known to science. Dioxin has been linked to cancer as well as to developmental and reproductive damage.

Should I buy toys made with PVC Plastic for my child?
PVC is unique among plastics.  It its original state, it's a hard, brittle and unusable material so a variety of chemicals must be added to it to make finished vinyl products. These additives are generally not bound strongly into the plastic and can be released when the product is used. Children suck or chew PVC toys and they can end up ingesting these toxic chemicals.

The Rise of Autism
In the last 20 years Autism has skyrocketed in this country.  Everyone has ideas but not one really knows why. 
The answer could be cumulative, including our food supply, the foreign substances put in vaccines to stabilized
or preserve them, and what our children are putting in their mouths that are labeled "toys."

 

PVC Plastic and the Environment
Throughout its lifecycle, PVC plastic (vinyl) is the worst plastic for the environment because it is the only plastic produced using chlorine. When PVC plastic is and burned (either accidentally or intentionally), the chlorine content produces dioxin, the most poisonous synthetic substance known to science. Dioxin has been linked to cancer as well as to developmental and reproductive damage. Both for your children's toys, and when they ask you for paper or plastic in the grocery store, paper (wood) is best.

What Can I do?
1. You can: Refuse to purchase PVC (vinyl) products. PVC children's products that you've already purchased should be thrown out.

2. You can: Contact your state health authority and urge them to investigate toxic additives to vinyl products.


3. You can: Call the following manufacturers and demand that they discontinue PVC children's products.
    - Hasbro (800)242-7276
    - Mattel (800)524-8697
    - Playschool (800)752-9755
    - Fisher Price (800)432-5437
    - Gerber (800)443-7237
    - Safety First (800)723-3065
    - Warner Brothers (800)843-2341
    - Disney (818)567-5401
    - Disney Licensing (818)567-5918

4. You can: Check out our USA Toxics Campaign table (see below) for the latest information on the PVC campaign. Also available online are the complete test results and comprehensive lists of the products tested, contained in the report "Lead and Cadmium in Vinyl Children's Products: a Greenpeace Exposé".

The Product Test Results

Lead and Cadmium
Greenpeace tested more than 100 randomly selected consumer products made of PVC plastic (also known as vinyl), including many designed for children. The following products, listed with their retail outlets, were near to or exceeded lead and cadmium levels determined to be hazardous by the U.S. government.

101 Dalmations Backpack Kmart	AT&T (25') Phone Line Cord Kmart	Columbia Youth Parka Raincoat Uncle Dan's
Barbie Backpack Kmart	Gemini Computer Printer Cable Kmart	Springs Bath Shower Curtain Wal-Mart
2-lb Vinyl-Covered Barbell Target	Disney Minnie Totes Key Ring Target	Barbie Slumber Tent Pole Toys 'R Us
Breast Milk Cooler Medela	Fun D Mentals Pencil Case Kmart	Tweety Totebag Wal-Mart
Sega Controller Cable Toys 'R Us	Warner Brothers Space Jam Placemat Kmart	Looney Tunes Hackey Sack Toy Toys R Us
Gemini 3' Video Coaxial Cable Kmart	Barth & Dreyfuss Placemat Kmart	Kentucky Fried Chicken Toy Toys 'R Us
Gemini Phone Cord Kmart	Gloria Vanderbilt Placemat Wal-Mart	Toteables Cosmetic Pouch Target
Philco In-Ear Headphone Cable Kmart	Pacific Kids Purse Wal-Mart	Dimples Doll Stroller Toys 'R Us
Philco Headphone Cable Kmart	Tweety Rainhat Warner Brothers	Looney Tunes Umbrella Toys 'R Us

Phthalates/Softeners
Greenpeace tested PVC toys designed for very young children, including teethers and other products, for the presence of hazardous additives known by the scientific term phthalates, which are used to soften plastic. All soft PVC products contain these hazardous chemicals. Below is a partial list of products tested, including the product's manufacturer or distributor.

Soft'n Munch Dessert Teether Safety 1st Inc.	Hard'n Soft Fruits Teether The First Years/Kiddies Products	Pig and Cow Weebles Hasbro
Barney Fun Time Baby Bop Doll Dimensions/Hasbro	SofKey Teething Ring Australia	Teether Album, Disney Babies Playskool Baby Inc./Hasbro
Sof'Sport Teether Safety 1st Inc.	Silbiditos Tiger ("Tigger") Disney/Arco Toys/Mattel	Soft Teether Keys Nursery Needs/Sanitroy
Baby Looney Tunes Cooling Ring Teether Gerber	Cool Ring Teether by The First Years Kiddie Products	Big Bird Soft Sports Car SS Soft Squeeze VEH/24 Tyco/Mattel
Disney Touch N Surp/4, Baby Minnie Doll Mattel	Gerber Nipples; Bright Clear & Soft Gerber	Hair Raising Angelica, Rugrats Doll AST/6 Mattel
Mickey Mouse Vinyl Coverall; 100% PVC Disney Babies, Evenflo Co.	Munchkin Spoon White Hot Munchkin Inc.	Pooh Baby 1st Blocks Arco Toys/Mattel
Sesame St. Tie Neck Vinyl Bib, Big Bird Playskool/Hasbro	Squeeze'Ems Elmo SS Squeeze Toy AST/24 Tyco/Mattel	Teletubbies Plush Po; red Playskool/Hasbro

Alternatives to PVC Products
Safer alternative materials to PVC (vinyl) plastic are widely available. But because most children's products are not labeled, it is difficult for consumers to avoid vinyl. If you have questions about a specific product, call the manufacturer or retailer (some are listed above). Ask these companies to stop selling PVC products.


Sources:
Greenpeace
International Toxic Toys Campaign Greenpeace

Shoshana Bailey

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