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frequently asked questions

Are the chemicals tested for in HealthyToys.org the only chemicals of concern in children's toys?

No. The rapid screening technology used for HealthyToys.org can identify the presence and concentration of some chemicals of concern. Toys may contain other hazardous materials that this technology is not designed to identify. Since there are no requirements to label or identify chemical ingredients in children's toys, consumers have no way of knowing what might be in toys. HealthyToys.org is a first step in providing information to parents on the chemicals in kids' products.

What should I do if I already own a toy that has a high level of lead in it?

Healthytoys.org recommends that you remove the toy from your home.

Should my child be tested for lead if he or she has played with a toy that was found to contain high levels of lead?

Parents should consult with their pediatrician to determine whether a lead test for their child is warranted. The detection of lead in a product does not necessarily mean there has been exposure. It is important to remember that toys and childcare articles are just one source of lead exposure for kids. Children are exposed to lead from other sources as well. For tips on reducing lead exposure for children and pregnant women, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/tips.htm.

Is lead paint still the most important source of lead exposure for children?

Generally, the largest risk of lead exposure for children comes from lead paint in older homes. Please consult the Centers for Disease Control website for tips on reducing lead exposure for children and pregnant women, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/faq/tips.htm.

However, the risk from lead and other hazardous chemicals in toys is real. In particular, metal jewelry with high levels of lead or cadmium, if swallowed by a child, can be very hazardous. The contribution of toys to the overall level of hazardous chemicals in children is not known, and will vary depending on the child's behavior and the products to which they are exposed. HealthyToys.org believes these exposures are completely avoidable and therefore unnecessary, and toy manufacturers should remove hazardous chemicals from children's products.

How can parents choose safer toys?

HealthyToys.org offers tips to help parents choose safer products. It is also important to check toys at home against government recall lists. However, the only way to assure safe toys for everyone is for the government to adequately regulate chemicals in products. Citizen pressure is important to make the government and toy manufacturers bring safer toys to market, so please refer to the Take Action link on this site for information on ways to add your voice to those calling for reform.

How do I find out about product recalls?

For information on all product recalls, see: http://www.recalls.gov/. For the latest on toy recalls, see: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html. For all lead recalls, see http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/Recalls/allhazards.htm If you suspect that a toy is unsafe, or to report an unsafe product, contact the CPSC on the internet, or by phone: http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html or 1-800-636-CPSC. To receive email recall alerts from US Consumer Product Safety Commission http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Why focus on PVC?

From production to disposal, PVC is associated with the use and production of hazardous chemicals.

During the production phase, workers at PVC facilities, as well as residents in surrounding areas, may be exposed to vinyl chloride (the building block of PVC) and/or dioxin (an unwanted byproduct of PVC production), both of which are carcinogens. At the end of a product's life, PVC can create dioxin when burned. PVC is not easily recycled.

Lead and other heavy metals are sometimes used as a stabilizer or to impart other properties to PVC plastic.

Because PVC is an inherently brittle material, it requires additives to make it flexible and to impart other properties. Another group of additives commonly found in PVC products are phthalates. Phthalates are used in many plastics, especially PVC products, as a softening agent to make the plastic flexible. Over 90% of all phthalates are used in PVC products.

Why are phthalates a concern?

Phthalates can harm reproductive development, especially in boys. They have also been linked to asthma.

Why is lead a concern?

Lead can harm brain development, with effects including reduced IQ, shorter attention span, and delayed learning. There is no safe level of lead.

Why is cadmium a concern?

Cadmium is a known human carcinogen, and can harm the kidneys and lungs. It can have adverse effects on motor skills and behavior.

What if my toy is not listed on HealthyToys.org?

You can nominate your toy to be tested by visiting the Test My Toy page on the site. HealthyToys.org will test the top nominees each week leading up to Christmas. You can sign up to receive email updates announcing when new toys are tested. You can also call the manufacturer and ask them to disclose the ingredients in the product. But most importantly, you can Take Action with other consumers.

HealthyToys.org tested more than 1,200 toys and childcare products that were available in stores during the summer and fall of 2007. This database represents a small fraction of what is on store shelves. HealthyToys.org will continue to update the site, posting information on new products. However, the only way to truly solve this problem is for the government to regulate toxic chemicals in consumer products. Remember to send a message to your elected representatives telling them to properly regulate chemicals in products.

Are newer toys safer than older toys?

HealthyToys.org did not sample older toys. Many older toys - those made before anti-lead paint regulations enacted in 1978- were coated with lead paint. Still our researchers found a surprising number of toys purchased in 2007 that contain lead as well as other chemicals.

Are less expensive toys more likely than name-brand toys to contain toxic chemicals?

Lead and other chemicals have been found in all types of toys from all types of stores. Even name-brand toys have been found to contain lead and other hazards. HealthyToys.org did find a number of products with elevated lead from discount stores. Children's metal jewelry tended to have more lead than other children's products.

Are toys made in the USA safer than those made in other countries?

Eighty percent of all toys are made in China. Therefore, the majority of toys that we tested are also from China. However, consumers cannot automatically assume that products made in the U.S. do not contain chemicals of concern. Beyond the lead paint restriction, there are no mandatory rules to regulate what can or cannot be used in children's products in the U.S., and no disclosure requirements on toxic chemicals in toys.

HealthyToys.org ratings do not provide a measure of health risk or chemical exposure associated with any individual toy or children's product, or any individual element or related chemical. HealthyToys.org ratings only provide a relative measure of high, medium and low concentrations of several hazardous chemicals or chemical elements in a toy or children's product in comparison to criteria established in the site methodology.