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War on Plastic Toys Escalates

Toys 'R' Us joins effort to eliminate PVC, phthalates and lead

By Mark Huffman
ConsumerAffairs.com

February 18, 2008    Spanish

• Wal-Mart Bans BPA, Other Retailers Likely to Follow • War on Plastic Toys Escalates • Plastic War Hits The Toy Industry • Groups Warn Baby Bottles Leach Toxic Substance • Study Warns Chemical In Baby Shampoo May Cause Harm • 'Toxic' Water Bottles Take Top Spot in Dubious Data Awards • Group Hits Apple Over 'Toxic' iPhone • California Bans Plastic-Softening Chemical in Toys • Group Warns of Polluted Air Inside Cars • Watch Out for Hidden Toy Hazards

Following moves by some of its rivals like Wal-Mart and Target, Toys "R" Us has announced its own policy to reduce polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, phthalates, and lead in children's and infant toys.

The company said it is reducing PVC use and is moving towards a goal of offering PVC-free products.

The toy retailer also announced that by the end of 2008, juvenile products must be produced without the addition of phthalates.

"Toys"R"Us' new PVC-free goal is good news for our children's health, safety, and well being," said Michael Schade, PVC Campaign Coordinator with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice. "PVC toxic toys often contain dangerous chemicals such as phthalates and lead.

"These toxic chemicals have no place in our children's toys and should be eliminated from store shelves everywhere they are currently sold so that no potential harm comes to any child who might otherwise come into contact with them. We call on Toys "R"Us to take the next step by setting clear benchmarks and timeframes for phasing out toxic PVC toys in order to prevent harm to our children's health," he said.

CHEJ and other consumer groups have been applying growing pressure on Toys R Us to phase out PVC and other harmful chemicals in their toys. The groups say their efforts have been aimed at educating retailers about the dangers of PVC. Sears, Kmart, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Nike, and Apple have recently announced initiatives to eliminate or reduce PVC in both products and packaging.

Banned in Europe

Some of the chemicals, including PVC, have been banned from toys in the European Union and California is also said to be considering a law making them illegal effective next year.

The development comes on the heels of toymakers recalling millions of toys to protect consumers from lead paint exposure.

What is interesting in this development is that the tradegroup that represents toymakers, The Toy Industry Association, has continued to maintain that PVC causes no harm to children, even as many of the group's members are quietly preparing to take such products off the shelves in the coming months.

In fact the first indications of what toys without PVC would look like will be unveiled this coming weekend when manufacturers attending the world's largest toy trade show, the American International Toy Fair, start showing up New York.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Green Toys Inc., a San Francisco-based start-up, will unveil several lines of toys made from organic and recycled plastics. The company has backing from several eco-friendly venture capital firms who see a huge marketing bonanza from the latest controversy and its offerings.

"Depending on how it is made, PVC frequently contains lead or other toxic metals. Vinyl chloride, used to make PVC, has been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as a carcinogen. Certain chemicals in the phthalate family, which often are used to soften PVC in toys and other products, have been linked by researchers to developmental and other health problems in children," says the Journal in a report this week.

In January, under pressure from Illinois authorities, Ty Inc., the maker of Beanie Babies, replaced its Jammin' Jenna dolls with a redesigned version using denim shoes instead of PVC ones. Testing had found the vinyl contained quantities of lead that exceeded the state's limit for children's products under a new law.

Last month, tests by the Center for Environmental Health found high levels of lead in several products, including certain vinyl coolers used for storing breast-milk bottles. Michigan also has a new law restricting lead levels in children's products, according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, pro-Vinyl groups are not giving up their campaign to prove their products are safe. The Vinyl Institute, a trade group, is launching a campaign to inform retailers that PVC is safe.

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