GRAND Magazine - November/December 2008 - (Page 29) Paol a Chellie of f o ws ie s h l n ny Ch e l h bu p l us ith he r ed w ic t uf f s g an d or ifie . ce rt n de r l ave t 90 a $19. w. ww s. gi f t r i ng sc a k a te c om Yuliana Yuliana plays with cotton doll family and handmade rocker. Dolls: $10.00-$78.95 at www. quiethourstoys .com; Rocker: $11.00 at www. greenpartygoo ds.com l ie he l dC r n a a e p ape y ao l h il P s s t l l f am y dre o rd yd stu t unn th a i b .95 de w m a d . $16 . r b o a w w w oys . st our e th m qui co treated with additional chemical additives, such as flame retardants and stain repellants—the gift we place in a grandchild’s stocking may be more of a poison than a plaything. For example, many toys manufactured in the United States contain detectable amounts of toxic substances such as phthalates, lead and cadmium. And this list is incomplete. How are our grandchildren exposed? Many health studies cite evidence that certain types of plastics, paints and synthetic fabric materials used to make toys can leach toxins from such products when they are damaged by normal wear and tear or exposed to heat and moisture. The toxic substances contained in these products can enter our grandchildren’s bodies through saliva or skin absorption or by inhalation. For example, infants and children may ingest harmful chemicals, such as lead, when they suck or chew on painted toys. They can also absorb toxins through their skin when playing with plastic toys in the bath. In another scenario, a toy exposed to excess heat—such as might normally occur when left inside a sun-hot vehicle or playroom—may offgas toxic substances directly into the air that our grandchildren breathe, or may cause exposure as “dust” particles. chemical exposures because they are still growing and developing. Research shows that the cumulative effects of exposures to low doses of certain chemicals may cause significant adverse health effects. What can grands do? Steer clear of toys made from materials that contain toxic substances. After the recent consumer alarm about toxic baby bottles and sippy cups, further warnings about “toxic plastics” may seem like beating a dead horse, but such concerns cannot be ignored. Hard, transparent or tinted “unbreakable” plastic toys and handheld electronic NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2008 GRAND 29 1. Avoid PC and PVC plastic toys. What’s the risk? Our grandchildren’s brains and bodies are particularly vulnerable to toxic http://www.quiethourstoys.com http://www.katescaringgifts.com http://www.quiethourstoys.com http://www.greenpartygoods.com
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.