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Phthalates, Hazardous Waste in Children’s Toys, Sex Toys and Consumer Products

By Viola Woolcott

Parents are concerned and the question if phthalates (pronounced tha-lates) are safe for babies arises more and more. Phthalates are found in plastics such as soft plastic teethers, plastic dishes as well as toys and many other consumer products. I have spoken to some toy companies who claimed that phthalates are harmless.

After some research and previous knowledge I feel that contact with phthalates should definitely be avoided to protect a baby’s health. Toys placed in the mouth are especially dangerous as the absorption of phthalates may exceed the maximum daily dose and could have a long-term impact on health.

Phthalates are industrial plasticiser that impart flexibility and resilience to plastic. They are common additives to soft plastic, in particular poly-vinyl chloride (PVC). Present in clear food wrap, personal care products, detergents, soaps and pesticides. They are chemicals which are considered as hazardous waste and are classed as pollutants in air, water and the environment, but basically they are in children’s toys, cosmetics, and within countless other consumer products and should be avoided.

Various types of phthalates are known to be toxic to the process of development, the reproductive system and other organs, so companies have taken them off the market due to health concerns. Although, I find it very alarming that they are still allowed for the use in teethers, toys, baby products as well as a large number of other consumer products.

Plastic teethers, toys and food containers should be avoided and non-toxic wooden teethers/toys should be used as an alternative.

The chemicals are widely detected in human blood and urine samples, with the latest exposure study indicating that women are slightly more exposed than men and younger children between the ages of 6-11 are more exposed than older children between the ages of 12-19 or 20.

It has been found in a study of 400 children that two concentrations of house dust are linked to asthma and rhinitis and that men with high levels of phthalates have lower sperm count as well as alterations in their hormone levels.

Contact to phthalates happens through direct use of cosmetics and other consumer products containing these chemicals, through inhalation of air contaminated with these chemicals and eating foods wrapped in products containing these hazardous chemicals.

Ever thought about phthalates in Sex toys? It has been known that these “mystery materials” they are made off, don’t just contain phthalates, they also contain latex. They have a very chemical smell which on the whole is the vinyl off-gassing the large amounts of phthalates. They also leak oils, leave spots on fabrics and wood and over time, the surface breaks down and they shouldn’t really be used internally. Some companies use Elastomer, which is a compound that does not contain phthalates.

Please check these related links:
www.luvy.org - Sex Toys Finally Made Legal in Texas
Toy Mobile, Natural European Toys
Vibratex Education
Green Romance, Master of Your Own

TreehuggerTV: How to Buy a Green Sex Toy

Ask EWG: What is “fragrance”?

CEH Center’s Dr. Galvez on Plastics and Childhood Exposure

Filed under: Dare 2B Aware on January 9th, 2008