"Have Yourself A Lead-Free Little Christmas" - Borrowed Commentary

LuvMySoldier · 11-27-2007, 08:59 PM

I suppose this could have been posted under a number of other forums, but I decided to post it here since it was borrowed from one of the "green" sites I go to.

COMMENTARY: Have Yourself a Lead-Free Little Christmas... : How to Kick Toxins off Santa’s Checklist (By Gary Ginsberg, Ph.D.)

How to Kick Toxins off Santa’s Checklist
By Gary Ginsberg, Ph.D.

Dr. Ginsberg starts off by ripping on China and the lead levels in toys coming from there. He then gives info. on "phthalates" found in toys, and the new recall on Aqua Dots. Then, he gives a checklist to follow when considering what toys to purchase this season:

What’s A Santa to Do?

Where does all this leave the Santa of the household this holiday season? This checklist will help keep the toys in your home safe.

1) Old toys: phase out painted wooden and brightly colored plastic toys unless you are certain that they were made in the U.S. (not just sold by a U.S. company).

2) New toys: choose toys from local U.S. companies which do not have overseas operations. European toys are also usually safe. You can find listings of online companies featuring U.S. made toys (e.g., ww.toysmadeinamerica.com). If it’s from China or you simply can’t tell, ask for manufacturer test results that show that lead and other chemicals are within safety standards.

3) Check on recalls: Recalls.gov lists recalls on toys and many other consumer goods.

4) Phthalates: steer clear of rubber ducky and similar soft PVC toys; choose wood or hard plastic, or order these products in phthalate-free versions from companies selling in Europe or California.

5) Third party certification: Look for the Art and Creative Materials Institute seal on crafty type toys like Aqua Dots. The “AP” label means ACMI has evaluated the product as safe for children. A craft toy made with the toxic chemical in Aqua Dots would not be approved by ACMI. Be especially suspicious of toys that involve glues, paints, dyes or clays that don’t carry the “AP” seal.

DR. GARY GINSBERG is a toxicologist on the faculty at Yale University and at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He is also co-author of What’s Toxic What’s Not (Berkley/Penguin, 2006) and can be reached at Toxic Chemicals Home School Workplace/Whats Toxic Whats Not/Book or "www.whatstoxic.com".