Ever heard of Phthalates? I bet you have. Phthalates, pronounced "thal-ates," are chemical substances found in the obvious plastic toys, feeding utensils and many many more items designed for use by and with children. They're also found in a lot less obvious products like shampoos, makeups, sunscreens and other consumable products.
From Wikipedia,
Phthalates are used in a large variety of products, from enteric coatings of pharmaceutical pills and nutritional supplements to viscosity control agents, gelling agents, film formers, stabilizers, dispersants, lubricants, binders, emulsifying agents, and suspending agents.
They are also primarily used as plasticizers (substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility, transparency, durability, and longevity).
Phthalate Exposure,
Phthalates are easily released into the environment because there is no covalent bond between the phthalates and plastics in which they are mixed. As plastics age and break down, the release of phthalates accelerates.
Phthalates, now banned from use in toys in Europe, have been thought to be linked to infertility in boys as well as putting the general public at risk of many other health problems due to exposure.
So, although brief, it's obvious just from the above known uses of and exposure to phthalates in our every day lives, it doesn't make sense to knowingly purchase toys which contain phthalates.
Because the risks of phthalate exposure are becoming more and more well known and publicized, there are now more phthalate free toy options than ever before.
Companies like Plan Toys, HABA toys, Green toys and more have really gone above and beyond to provide parents with a healthy more natural alternative with phthalate-free toys. Now toys, just as cute and fun as their toxic alternatives are being made with recycled plastics, natural woods, non-toxic paints and more.
Visit Luvaboos today for a great selection of natural, eco-friendly and non-toxic toys for your little ones.
To learn more about phthalates and other toxins known to be found in toys and other household products please visit the resources below.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalates
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/412/
http://www.pbs.org/now/shows/412/video.html
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