Harmful substances that can cause cancer were found in children's toys

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An international study showed the presence in plastic children's toys of 126 dangerous substances that can cause cancer.

Despite the fact that the laws of many countries regulate the use of certain potentially toxic chemicals in toys, there is no uniform approach at the international level.< /p>

Toxic substances can also get into toys during the processing of contaminated plastic, due to the ignorance of manufacturers or the lack of regulatory requirements in a particular state.

Researchers compiled a list of 419 materials from which toys are made. Of these, 126 of those that cause concern were selected and ranked in order from the most harmless to the most dangerous. Data on these substances and how products from them are used were used to compile the rating: how long a child usually plays with a toy, whether he puts it in his mouth, and how many toys are in the house per child.

The presence of 27 substances. , among which phthalates, flame retardants and plasticizers were identified, is regulated by the legislation of a number of countries, but they are still found in toys.

In addition, scientists discovered 17 substances that do not appear in the lists of materials for toys and can be dangerous for health. Some of them began to be used as an alternative to harmful elements, but they themselves can pose a threat.

Researchers determined the maximum permissible chemical content for all substances contained in plastic toys. This information can be useful for manufacturers.

Parents were recommended a simple method of how to protect their children – to stop surrounding them with new plastic toys. For example, in Western countries, one child consumes an average of 18.3 kilograms of plastic toys per year.

“And we are just beginning to find out what all this mass actually contains,” the scientists added.< /p>