What’s up with the wooden toys?
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*I did not take these pictures, just borrowing them, don’t sue me, cause I have no money.
Most of my son’s current toys are wooden, right down to his playhouse made of cedar. This is not a coincidence, and because I’ve gotten questions regarding this a few times, I figured it was time to clear the air.
First, a disclaimer:
1. I am not an expert on the subject. I am not a scientist or doctor or toy manufacturer. But I am a mother.
2. I am not aiming this post at any one in Lil E’s history who has purchased him a toy that was made of plastic.
3. RealMama.org wrote a much more comprehensive article here, which I discovered after writing this one.
4. The best resource I have found on the subject is Greenpeace, and you can see a whole lot more here.
Ok, so, I realize that most Americans have probably very little awareness or cause for concern regarding the ingredients of plastic toys. There are very few toys at the most popular toy chain, Toys R Us, that are not plastic. Baby dolls, legos, everything down to teething rings are plastic. But the fact is, many plastic toys can contain PVC.
Without a long explanation, what’s PVC?
PVC: short for Polyvinyl chloride, wikipedia describes as one of the most valuable products of the chemical industry. Repeat word: chemical. Commonly found in building materials, it also shows up all around our homes in tupperware food storage, vinyl shower curtain liners, clothing, etc. Plasticizers added to the PVC to make it more pliable can “leach out” over use. Concerns have been raised on the effects these chemicals have on human health, especially regarding PVC in toys. Europe banned the use of a chemical additive to PVC called Phthalates from toys - see article here. In a study conducted by GreenPeace, the only toys found with PVC sold in Austria were at Toys R Us. (I hate that store!)
What’s the harm?
PVC and the chemicals it contains have been linked in various studies to various health concerns, including:
- Reproductive birth defects, particularly the male reproductive tract, from the off-gas of that “new shower curtain” smell from the initial release of the Phthalates.
- Liver Cancer and kidney damage (in studies on animals)
- Nervous and respiratory problems (esp. asthma)
An excerpt fro Greenpeace’s Q&A:
“Are children more vulnerable to exposure to chemicals? Are some children at a higher risk?
Because children are still developing into adolescence, they are more vulnerable to chemical exposure. Their reproductive systems, livers and other vital organs and not fully developed. Children whose immune systems are compromised and premature babies are more at risk than other children from chemical contamination.”
Most toy manufacturer’s have stopped adding these chemicals to toys that kids chew on, such as teethers, rattlers, and plastic nipples. A quick search around the internet and you can find a list of manufacturer’s and retail stores. Greenpeace lists Austria, Denmark, France, Mexico, Greece, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Italy as countries that have or are taking steps to ban phthalates in toys. However, a large percent of plastic toys do contain these chemicals- (Again, Greenpeace names a few companies still manufacturing and selling them: Hasbro, Playskool, Warner Bros and Disney.) Today, some arrived in the mail from a wonderful and loving and well-meaning family member. We made the decision that one of the toys that heavily reeked of the plastic shower curtain smell, we would not allow Lil E to play with.
This may sound pretty harsh, and I understand not wanting to be fanatical about anything. I’ve also read that there is no conclusion on the direct effects of these chemicals in humans. But in our home, we do what we can. Our laundry soap, bathing products, cleaning agents, etc are made of natural ingredients. Our bedding and towels are organic cotton. Our furniture is used, (and most off-gassing occurs in the first 2 years of use, Diane from The Mommy Spot pointed out!) and our shower curtain liner is fabric. I use glass food storage rather than tupperware and try to be mildly aware of foods stored in plastics with certain recycle numbers, etc. Some of you might be thinking that’s completely radical, and some of you are wondering, sheesh, that’s all you do? It is a learning process, for sure, and one that I believe is important when it concerns the health of small children. Just because its cheap and effective to make, sell, and purchase pliable plastic toys doesn’t mean its healthy, normal, or indifferent. I mean, there’s a reason they are called “hazardous chemicals”, after all!
Hi, Vivian. I just found your blog and wanted to let you know how much I appreciate this article. I own an online toy store (Hazelnut Kids) and sell only natural toys (no plastic or batteries). Throughout all of the toy recalls lately I have heard from customers “You must be glad your toys aren’t involved”, and of course I am, but more than that I am just saddened that this is happening, and happening so frequently. Many parents don’t know the risks plastic toys and toys made in certain areas of China are posing to their children and to the earth. So, thank you for educating parents about the risks and the true costs of plastic toys. It will make a difference.
Sheri, I also commend you for your incredible store and the point it is making. To even have such things out there makes completely oblivious parent’s wonder if there is something they don’t know about the toys they are buying. Thanks for stopping by the blog and for your encouragement- and keep up the good work!