Initial Research Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

Kaya systems LLC

19 Aug, 2011

Prepared for Andrew Gardiner

Presented by:

Zack
Marketing Services Group
Kaya Systems LLC 2520 NW, 182nd St. Edmond, OK 73012 www.KayaSystems.com Direct: +1 (706) 534 2284 Fax: +1 (866) 342 9582 zakria.azeem@kayasystems.com

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

Table of Contents
Dangers of Plastic used for production of Children Toys............................................3 European Community's Attempt to Regulate the Use of Chemical Plasticizers.......3 Long term Health Effects of Plastic Toys.................................................................3 An Evaluation of Plastic Toys for Lead Contamination ............................................7 Conclusion............................................................................................................... 9

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

Dangers of Plastic used for production of Children Toys

The purpose of this research is to identify the dangers of plastic used for the manufacture of childrens toys. It will also show statistical data about the health risks and long term effects these substances can cause specially if used in toys.

European Community's Attempt to Regulate the Use of Chemical Plasticizers

Recently, several European countries including Austria, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have taken steps to ban the use of certain chemical plasticizers in children's toys1. The bans follow closely on the heels of the results of several tests conducted by various European countries, as well as the environmental group Greenpeace. These tests have indicated that phthalate plasticizers in PVC (polyvinyl chloride or vinyl) plastic toys pose a health risk to small children. The evidence, however, is not wholly conclusive as to what health effects, if any. Such materials actually pose to children coming into contact with the PVC toys. The plastics industry and many international toy manufacturers maintain that the use of PVC and its phthalate softeners do not create a safety risk. Environmental groups like Greenpeace, however, claim that PVC softening phthalates are unsafe for children. These groups cite experiments demonstrating that certain PVC softening phthalates pose serious threats to the health of small children.

Long term Health Effects of Plastic Toys

The use of plastic in children toys has been long been tested in various studies. Some studies found that the effects were not very alarming, but with increased imports of plastic toys and use of new forms of plastic, new studies and reports are always pushing governments to impose restrictions on sale of toys made with harmful materials. According to a brief research report2 by Ecology Center, the health effects of plastics are: Direct toxicity due to lead, cadmium and mercury Carcinogens (commonly known as phthalates) Endocrine disruption that can cause cancers, birth defects, developmental problems in children and immune system damage.

http://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage? collection=journals&handle=hein.journals/psilr18&div=26&id=&page=
2

Adverse Health Effects of Plastics. Ecology Center.

http://www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/plastichealtheffects.html

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

A summary table of some plastic materials used in toys and their side effects on humans is given in table below:
Plastic Polyvinyl chloride (#3PVC) Common Uses Food packaging, plastic wrap, containers for toiletries, cosmetics, crib bumpers, floor tiles, pacifiers, shower curtains, toys, water pipes, garden hoses, auto upholstery, inflatable swimming pools Softened vinyl products manufactured with phthalates include vinyl clothing, emulsion paint, footwear, printing inks, non-mouthing toys and childrens products, product packaging and food wrap, vinyl flooring, blood bags and tubing, IV containers and components, surgical gloves, breathing tubes, general purpose labware, inhalation masks, many other medical devices Many food containers for meats, fish, cheeses, yogurt, foam and clear clamshell containers, foam and rigid plates, clear bakery containers, packaging "peanuts", foam packaging, audio cassette housings, CD cases, disposable cutlery, building insulation, flotation devices, ice buckets, wall tile, paints, serving trays, throw-away hot drink cups, toys Water and soda bottles, carpet fiber, chewing gum, coffee stirrers, drinking glasses, food containers and wrappers, heat-sealed plastic packaging, kitchenware, plastic bags, squeeze bottles, toys Adverse Health Effects Can cause cancer, birth defects, genetic changes, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, skin diseases, deafness, vision failure, indigestion, and liver dysfunction

Phthalates (DEHP, DINP, and others)

Endocrine disruption, linked to asthma, developmental and reproductive effects. Medical waste with PVC and phthalates is regularly incinerated causing public health effects from the release of dioxins and mercury, including cancer, birth defects, hormonal changes, declining sperm counts, infertility, endometriosis, and immune system impairment.

Polystyrene

Can irritate eyes, nose and throat and can cause dizziness and unconsciousness. Migrates into food and stores in body fat. Elevated rates of lymphatic and hematopoietic cancers for workers.

Polyethylene (#1 PET)

Suspected human carcinogen

Source: http://www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/plastichealtheffects.html

A Scientific Evaluation
The issues and debate on industrial production of plastic with health risks have been taking toll over the last decade. With increased influx of plastic in many

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

devices and goods including children toys, it has been questioned whether plastics use if safe for children. A very detailed and comprehensive scientific research study was conducted by American Council of Health and Sciences in 1999 3. Although numerous similar studies have been carried out prior to and after this study, it covers the questions and issues that all of these studies entail. ACSH selected and convened a panel of scientists and physicians to review and evaluate the available scientific data for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP). In the report, the issue of whether phthalate plasticizers in flexible vinyl toys (for simplicity hereafter referred to as toys) pose a health risk to children has been questioned. Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) is the main plasticizer in flexible vinyl toys that are mouthed by young children. The potential exposures and hazards associated with DINP in toys should be addressed with scientific rigor for the benefit of the general public, particularly parents, caregivers, and children. Scope The Panel's mission was to evaluate DINP and its use in toys. This evaluation focused on major scientific studies and reviews, as well as recent unpublished data that were critical to the evaluation of potential human health risks of exposures to DINP. The Panel's work centered on the following tasks: Background The basis for the inclusion of DINP in toys is its ability to impart flexibility or plasticity, a desirable characteristic in toys that are mouthed, chewed, or sucked by infants and young children. Mouthing behavior is normal and expected in infants, and hard objects or toys can be hazardous (eg, cause cuts and damage to gums, mouth, or teeth). Plastic toys containing DINP have been shown to release small quantities of this plasticizer based on measurements of DINP in saliva of adult subjects.
3

From Medscape General Medicine. A Scientific Evaluation of Health Effects of Two Plasticizers Used in Medical Devices and Toys: A Report from the American Council on Science and Health C. Everett Koop, MD, ScD; Daland R. Juberg, PhD; Elissa P. Benedek, MD; Ronald W. Brecher, PhD, C Chem, DABT; Robert L. Brent, MD, PhD; Philip Cole, MD, DrPH; Morton Corn, PhD; Vincent Covello, PhD; Theron W. Downes, PhD; Shayne C. Gad, PhD, DABT; Lois Swirsky Gold, PhD; F. Peter Guengerich, PhD; John Higginson, MD, FRCP; W. Hans Knemann, PhD, RIVM; James C. Lamb IV, PhD, DABT; Paul J. Lioy, PhD; George D. Lundberg, MD; Kimberly M. Thompson, ScD Medscape General Medicine. 1999;1(1) 1999

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

Exposure Assessment For DINP, temporal mouthing behavior and measurements of DINP migration from flexible toys have been assessed using adults to provide estimates of exposure for children. For humans, oral intake is the primary exposure route, particularly for young children who may spend considerable time mouthing, chewing, or sucking on toys containing DINP. As a result, several independent assessments have evaluated and estimated this particular exposure, which is believed to represent high-end or maximum daily human exposure. Child Sensitivity This report concluded that there are no toxicological rules of thumb about the relative risks between children and adults and that analysis should be performed on a case-by-case basis. Nonetheless, a 1993 report recommended the policy that an extra uncertainty factor of 10 be applied to account for potential increased sensitivity of children when managing risks from pesticides in the diets of infants and children.[32] Congress acted on this recommendation when it passed the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) in 1996, and this science policy choice has been the subject of recent debate. Although DINP is not a food additive or a chemical that is regulated under the FQPA, the same principles involved in this analysis (toxicokinetic, metabolic, and exposure differences) pertain to DINP in toys. Conclusions Based on its review of available scientific data and exposure estimates for DINP, the Panel concluded that DINP in flexible toys is unlikely to pose a health risk to children. This reports conclusion was although contradictory to the popular perception at that time and concerns raised by health organizations, it nevertheless spotted that there were health risks in case DINP in toys were used in quantities more than what they had examined.

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

An Evaluation of Plastic Toys for Lead Contamination

Another similar study done in 20094 in Las Vegas evaluates plastic toys for lead contamination. The harmful effect of childhood exposure to environmental lead continues to be a major health concern. This study examined lead contamination within the plastic of children's toys. It was also hypothesized that the use of lead as a stabilizer would result in higher incidents of elevated lead (> 600 ppm) in polyvinyl chloride plastics (PVC) than non-PVC plastics. It was also hypothesized that, due to the use lead chromate, yellow toys would have higher incidents of elevated lead (> 600 ppm) than toys of other colors. Study Sample Toy samples were limited to those found in day care centers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ten day care centers were visited and approximately 50 toy samples were taken from each center. Of the 535 toys tested, 29 contained lead in excess of 600 parts per million (ppm). Of those 29, 20 were PVC and 17 were yellow. Both of the two hypotheses were strongly supported by the data. In addition to examining lead contamination, the presence of other heavy metals was observed.

It was found that when lead was elevated, there was a high probability (P = 0.72) of the presence of elevated concentrations (> 100 ppm) of the other heavy metals cadmium, arsenic and chromium. To better understand childhood exposure risks from lead and other heavy metals additional research is needed. The report tends to discuss the effects of lead on health. This is followed by the history of the use and misuse of lead. Due to its extreme persistence in the environment, and the role humans have played in the accumulation of that lead, the discussion begins with ancient history and ends in the modern era. In the discussion concerning the present day, the two greatest sources of environmental lead are mentioned - lead based paint and leaded gasoline. The literature review closes with information on toys and day care centers. We will keep this brief introduction to the report to the parts where it discusses toys. Lead in Children Toys

AN EVALUATION OF PLASTIC TOYS FOR LEAD CONTAMINATION IN DAY CARE CENTERS IN THE LAS VEGAS VALLEY By Joseph Alan Greenway Dr. Shawn L. Gerstenberger, Committee Chair

http://southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/download/clppp/evaluation-plastic-toys-lead-contaminationday-care-centers.pdf

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

In recent years, the percentage of toy imports has been increasing. As of December 2007, 87% of toys sold in this country were imported; 74% of these were imported from China (Schmidt, 2008). The increase in the percentage of toys imported into this country reverses some of the progress made toward childhood safety, especially from lead contamination. A recent deluge of recalls of consumer lead contaminated toys has brought the dangers of lead pollution into the public eye. On December 5, 2007 a Michigan based Ecology Center submitted a press release. This release published the results of 1,268 popular toys tested for heavy metals. They found 35% to contain high concentrations of lead. Dollar store animal figurines tested at 6,700 ppm. Upon learning that millions of toys were recalled due to lead contamination, the question arises, "Why is lead being used in the production of toys?" Lead and other heavy metals are used as a stabilizer and softener in plastics. Pigments containing heavy metals are often used in plastics to increase the vibrancy of colors. Lead is most frequently used in yellow and red pigments. Lead chromates are used for pigments that range from greenish-yellow to yellowish-red. Day Care Centers In a 1995 study by the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa, 6 day care centers were examined for risk factors to lead exposure. Elevated concentrations of lead (> lug/cm2) were found in the wall paint of all the centers. The source of lead in the windowsill dust may have been from window miniblinds. In 1996 the CPSC concluded that imported miniblinds from China, Taiwan, Mexico and Indonesia presented a lead poisoning hazard to children. Study Results Approximately 50 toys from each of 10 day care centers were tested, for a total of 535 samples. Of the 535 toys tested, 29 (5.4%) were found with elevated lead (> 600 ppm). The lead concentrations ranged from 621 - 8081 ppm, with an overall average of 2019 329 ppm. In light of the findings in this study and proposed changes in the regulations, it would be preferable to buy toys that are constructed of non-PVC plastics. To avoid purchasing such toys, it would be necessary to be able identify the materials from which toys are made. However, an observation of the population of toys from which the samples were taken produced no visual distinction between PVC and non-PVC plastics. Currently identification methods require the use of sophisticated and expensive equipment. A possible solution would be to label the toy's packaging, using methods similar to the ingredients label found on food items.

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Health Effects of Plastic Toys on Children

Conclusion
Although there are different studies with findings that vary on the grounds of impact of damaging effects, there is no dispute over the fact the PVC and lead containing toys are dangerous for children, in whatever capacity. There has been increased legislation around the world over the use, sale and production of plastic toys. Producers and consumers are moving towards safer materials for toys and production of products in general. There are a lot of Green Production movements and they regularly exert pressure over industries to adopt greener production methods. The legislation and implementation is noteworthy in developed countries, but it still is uncertain whether the underdeveloped world with low level of legislations and with absence of regulations of plastic toys is keeping pace with the greener production methods.

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