Arsenic
Arsenic is a heavy metal that can be present in both organic and inorganic molecules. For example, inorganic arsenic is a naturally-occurring groundwater contaminant in some geographical regions. Arsenic trioxide, an inorganic arsenic compound, is primarily used as a wood preservative and in the production of fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides (ATSDR 2005). Organic arsenic is present in seafood and is purposely used in industrial style poultry production as a growth promoter. Organic arsenic can be converted to the more toxic inorganic form when it is ingested. It is not clear why arsenic is showing up in children's products, though it may be used in textiles and plastics in dyes. The XRF technology does not allow us to assess the form of arsenic detected, although it is likely in the more toxic inorganic form.
Health Effects:
Inorganic and organic forms of arsenic have different toxicities. Depending on the form and level of exposure, arsenic has been linked to:
- Inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen. There is strong evidence that it is linked to lung, skin, and bladder cancer (ATSDR 2005).
- Inorganic arsenic may also cause skin irritation, skin color changes, blood disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and hormone disruption (ATSDR 2005).
- Preliminary data suggest that inorganic arsenic may interfere with normal fetal development (ATSDR 2005) and cause deficits in brain development and intelligence (Wasserman 2004).
Current Regulations for Children's Products
- The toy industry has established a voluntary migration standard for the amount of arsenic that can migrate from toys of 25 ppm. It is not enforceable. The European toy industry has established a migration standard of 25 ppm for arsenic.
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