Lead levels in new enamel household paints from Asia, Africa and South America

In 2006 a report on the analysis for lead in 80 new residential paints from four countries in Asia revealed high levels in three of the countries (China, India and Malaysia) and low levels in a fourth country (Singapore) where a lead in paint regulation was enforced. Read more

The lead content of currently available new residential paint in several Asian countries

Worldwide prohibitions on lead gasoline additives were a major international public health accomplishment, the results of which are still being documented in parts of the world. Although the need to remove lead from paints has been recognized for over a century, evidence reported in this article indicates that lead-based paints for household use, some containing more than 10% lead, are readily available for purchase in some of the largest countries in the world. Read more

Heavy metals found in toys bought in Lagos, Nigeria

High levels of heavy metals were found in toys bought in Lagos, Nigeria. 51 Toys bought in different cities in Nigeria were examined. Lead, Cadmium, Nickel and Chromium were found in all the tested toys in varying concentrations.
The full legnths paper can be downloaded here.

High levels of Phtalates found in childcare dust

A studie conducted by the German NGO BUND has revealed that in dust, collected in German childcare institutions, high levels of the phatalates DINP and DEHP were found. Here you can read more in German about the study. The European Union classifies DEHP officially as toxic to the reproductive system, DINP is not yet classified. The levels of these softeners were on average thrice as high as as those found in German households in a survey conducted by the German federal environment agency (UBA).
Softeners in toys are allready banned, but still allowed in other products.

65.000 reasons for better chemicals!

Children are exposed to a cocktail of chemicals every day; from the indoor climate, from the food they eat, and from the products they use. This leaflet from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency gives eight adivces on how to deal in your every day life with the knowledge about endocrine disruptors and children. It can be downloaded here.

Toxic chemicals in toys - new articel

The articel "Toxic chemicals in toys and Childern's Products: Limitations of current Responses and Recommendations for Government and Industry" by Monica Becker, Sally Edwards and Rachel Massey was published in the environmental science and technology feature.
How are governments, industry and NGOs reacting to the fact that toxic chemicals are found in toys and other childerns products? What could one of them do to tackle this thread?
These are some of the questions the authors try to answer.

New Safe Toys Guide in French available

The Safe Toys Guide in French is ready to download here.

Safe Toys Guide now available!

The WECF Safe Toys Guid is now ready to download in English. The German version is updated and available from Publications or the WECF homepage.

Giving birth to the Safe Toys Coalition

Eleven members and partners of WECF from nine countries actively participated at an international toys training in November in Bavaria. Excursions to main German toy producer Playmobil, testing institute LGA and the label „spielgut“, gave important insights in the toys market and the challenges it faces.

The following workshop in Munich summarized all the experience made during the excursions and went deeper into the specific situation in the participants counties. Agreeing that there are many things to do on the way to a world without toxic toys, all participants agreed on starting a common work on this important issue by founding the Safe Toys Coalition.

Both the excursions and the following workshop were very motivating: Playmobil, a company with a turnover of 496 Mio. Euros, surprised us with an unexpected openness and a wonderful hospitality and the earnest effort to produce safe and healthy toys.

Visit at Playmobil production in Dietenhofen, Foto: WECF

The modern testing mashines and laboratories of LGA impressed all participants and Mr. Galsterer’s personal tips and views were much appreciated.

Mr. Glasterer (LAGA) with teddy bear

The chemist of the label „spielgut“, Mr. Döring, showed cheap and feasable tests, which can also be undertaken in public places and presented current problems regarding hazardous ingredients in toys.

Mr. Döring fom label “spielgut” testing halogen flame retardants

During the workshop it was concluded after exchanging information on specific national characteristics in the Czech Republic, Russia, Macedonia, Belarus, Estonia, Sweden, Greece, France, the Netherlands and Germany that the same problems could be found everywhere, although in different intensity:

• hazardous ingredients in toys
• none or no sufficient legislation
• no mandatory controlling by third party tests (except US)
• no declaration, labelling for consumers

All participants agreed on cooperating and getting active to ensure safe toys for the healthy future of children. The high motivation and enthusiasm resulted in the creation of the "Safe Toys Coalition"
First steps will be a common statement and the call for more NGOs to join it. Furthermore the toys guide will be translated in 6 additional languages and serves for national awareness raising. The planning of concrete next steps showed the personal comittmentof all participants.