With all the recent Chinese toy recalls, many parents are wondering which toys are safe for their children.  Avoiding toys made in China seems to be the obvious, but not all of them are off limits.  Check on www.cpsc.gov before buying.  This website lists all the toy recalls. 

An ongoing concern of eco-conscious parents are plastic toys, containing Phthalates, PVC and Bisphenol.  Linked to developmental health problems in babies, toys made with these chemicals have been banned in Europe and 16 other countries, however not in the USA. 

Safe Toy Options

We have taken great care selecting only the safest toys to offer on our on-line store.  Preferring wooden and soft toys over plastics, for their safety, durability and imagination.  We buy our products from smaller, fair trade philanthropic companies and award winning US companies, that share our values.

Favorites include BlaBla's poetic mermaids and sock monkeys hand-knitted by Peruvian women cooperatives, YoYo Dolls crafted by Bolivian Aymara artisans, and the Wooden Teething Rattle, carved from a single piece of rock maple wood in Vermont. 

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Tips for Buying Safe Toys

Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission, Chronicle research

• Avoid baby toys made with polyvinyl chloride or PVC. Plastic softeners usually contain phthalates, which have been linked to development problems in lab animals. 
• Avoid products made from hard, clear polycarbonate plastic, such as plastic baby bottles, water bottles and some containers. Some toys made of the hard plastic contain bisphenol A, another chemical linked to health problems.
• Avoid baby toys made from soft vinyl. Not only may it contain phthalates, but some soft lunch boxes made of the material have been found to contain lead.
• Painted toys made in China are more likely to contain lead than those made in the United States. Generally, buying locally made toys is safer.
• Toy jewelry often contains lead. It's generally good to avoid metal jewelry, especially if your child will put it in his or her mouth.
• Baby Toys marked safe, nontoxic aren't necessarily free of chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A, according to tests done by The Chronicle. If you're unsure about a product, don't buy it.
• Some experts warn parents to stay away from toys sold in gumball machines. They're cheaply made and sometimes contain lead.
• Research toy makers and see if they require third-party lab tests of their products.
• Buy toys that are age appropriate. Toddlers shouldn't be given toys with small parts that they may put in their mouths. Children under age 8 should not be given toys with sharp edges and points, according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.
• Adults should change batteries in toys.

Sign up for e-mail notifications of toy recalls at the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Tips to Avoid Chemicals

Several chemicals found in children's products can be potentially harmful. Here's some basic information about the chemicals that have been making news and where they are found.

Phthalates

Uses: Softens polyvinyl chloride products such as toys, raincoats, shower curtains and medical tubing. Found in upholstery, detergents, oils and cosmetics.  Banned in Europe. 

Health effects: Lab animal studies show some phthalates interfere with hormonal systems, disrupt testosterone production and cause malformed sex organs. The DEHP form is a carcinogen and a reproductive toxicant. Phthalates shed or leach from products.

Bisphenol A

Uses: Acts as building block in hard, clear polycarbonate plastic baby bottles, water bottles and containers. Found in liners inside food and drink cans, electronic equipment and spray-on flame retardants.

Health effects: Lab animal studies show that at low levels, bisphenol A can alter the function of the thyroid gland, brain, pancreas and prostate gland. It leaches out of products under normal use. It is found in humans, especially in placental and fetal tissue.

Lead

Uses: Lead can be used in paint made before the late 1970s or paint made in other countries. It is used as a metal in some products. In children's toys, it has often been found as part of toy jewelry and paint.

Health effects: Lead, known to cause cancer and reproductive harm, also can cause mental and physical retardation as well as behavioral and other health problems in children. In adults, it can damage the nervous system. Children with diets low in iron and calcium are at particular risk of absorbing lead. There are often no symptoms associated with high levels of lead in the body.

Regulation: The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been roundly criticized for not actively testing toys for lead. Federal officials have largely claimed that such responsibilities are left up to suppliers and toy makers, including many that are located in other countries.  Lead paint was outlawed in the US, during the late 1970s.

Among the most important laws is California's Proposition 65, which requires manufactures to notify consumers of products that contain chemicals such as lead. The state recently sued 20 toy companies for not complying with that law but no trial has been held yet.

The truth behind home lead tests

The reliability of home lead tests is iffy at best.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission tested a number of home lead tests and found that most had a high rate of producing incorrect results, according to an October report. Their study found that some kits deemed toys to contain lead when they, in fact, did not; likewise, some items with high levels of lead turned up negative test results, the commission reported. The conclusion, say federal experts: Don't rely on home tests. You can see the complete report in PDF form here.

Consumer Reports has also studied home lead tests and recommends some 4 brands, see their picks here.

The best advice for parents: Use the tests if you want, but remember that nothing outside of a professional lab test is foolproof. If you're concerned about a toy, especially one with flaking paint or toy jewelry, don't let it around your child. Also, be sure to get your child's blood tested for lead, even if you've been diligent about their toys.