As Christmas approaches and shoppers prepare for gift-giving, safe toy advocate BAN Toxics has issued a warning about the sale of bouncy and squeaky plastic toys that may contain toxic chemicals. These toys, which often use chlorinated paraffins, pose serious health risks including liver and kidney damage, disruptions to the endocrine system, potential cancer risks, developmental brain impairments, and threats to reproductive health.
Recent market surveillance by BT Patrollers found these risky toys being sold in stores in Baclaran, Pasay City. The bouncy toys were priced between Php 300-350, while the squeaky plastic toys ranged from Php 60-150.
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs), which are used in various plastic products, were globally banned under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in 2017.
A study published by the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) in October revealed high levels of these toxins in toys. Testing at a certified laboratory in Prague confirmed that all plastic toys tested contained SCCPs and MCCPs. The highest concentrations were found in inflatable bouncing toys.
BAN Toxics is calling for the prohibition of these toxic chemicals in plastic toys in the Philippine market to protect children from potential health risks. They urge government agencies to take action to eliminate the use of SCCPs and MCCPs in toys.
As a signatory to the Stockholm Convention, the Philippines is required to reduce the production and use of listed POP chemicals, including SCCPs. Proper labeling and transparency in the production of plastic toys are crucial to informed decision-making.
BAN Toxics is urging lawmakers to enact legislation banning toxic chemicals in children’s products and emphasizing the importance of transparency and traceability in toy production. They stress the need to protect children’s health and the environment by prohibiting the use of these harmful substances.
Link to IPEN’s Study: https://ipen.org/sites/default/files/documents/chlorinated_paraffins_report-102023.pdf