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What’s going on? You would think that in the year 2007, we wouldn’t have to deal with this… Our beloved Thomas the Train, Polly Pocket, Elmo, Dora the Explorer all pulled from the shelves this year as well as a chemical containing the ‘date-rape’ drug GHB was found on Aqua Dots, a bead toy that some retailers, Toys R Us and Wal mart included, had on their most popular, top toys lists for this holiday season. It’s in the Paint. In July, About 1.5 Million Thomas and Friends wooden railway toys were recalled due to surface paints containing lead. Then in August, Fisher Price recalled 83 types of toys also because their paint contained excessive amounts of lead. Another 1 million toys. Made in China. Recalls are tough on the psyche, but it’s especially hard when it comes from a reputable toy manufacturing company. On November 8, 2007, CNN reported that “U.S. safety officials have recalled about 4.2 million Chinese-made Aqua Dots bead toys that contain a chemical that has caused some children to vomit and become comatose after swallowing them.” U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission spokesman Scott Wolfson told CNN. That Scientists have found that the popular toy's coating contains a chemical that, once metabolized, converts into the toxic "date rape" drug GHB, or gamma-hydroxy butyrate. In low doses GHB can cause euphoria, higher doses can make a person go into a coma. At the time of the announcement, 3 cases in Australia have been reported where the toys sells under the name of Bindeez Beads. 2 cases in the United States. Check out this petition sponsored by the folks behind Consumer Reports to Stop Unsafe Imports Aside from the recalls, there is a growing concern about phthalates, a softening agent for plastics. Scientists worldwide have linked phthalates to lowered sperm counts, early onset of puberty, testicular cancer and liver problems. These chemicals are found in common toys for young children, including: rubber ducks, teething rings, bath books and other soft plastic toys and can leech out of these toys when children suck or chew on them. So how do you make the right choices when shopping for toys? First off, here’s a good link to have. It’s the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. They have the latest in toy recalls…would be a good idea to check and make sure you don’t have any of these items in your home. It also wouldn’t hurt to keep this baby in your favorites. Secondly, Especially for the little ones. Why not explore Organic and certified Non-Toxic options? The companies Haba, Selecta, Brio, Plan Toys, to name a few, all sell wooden toys with non-toxic paint. Under the Nile, Lana, Miyim are reliable companies for organic cotton animals and dolls. You won’t find a ton of bells and whistles with these toys. We aren’t talking about the latest trendy offering that is being advertised all over the television, but good solid basics. Blocks, Pull toys, Wooden Dollhouses. Toys that have endured, been around for years just under the radar. Who knows maybe after the year the toy industry has had, consumers yearning for peace of mind will find their way back to the basics and to safer alternatives.
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