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Companies that manufacture meal-time items for kids are starting to tout their BPA-free products. But toy manufacturers? A little slow on the "promote toxic-free kid stuff" bandwagon, thought I'm not sure why because it's a good bandwagon to be on.
You need to be in the know on one very cool, useful site: HealthyToys.org. It includes data on more than 1,200 toys and children's products, which have been tested for levels of lead, mercury, cadium, chlorine and arsenic. You can get info by searching for product name, brand or type (plastic, wood, fabric). When click on a specific product and see if the overall levels are low, medium or high and you also get a breakdown of each particular chemical.
You should definitely take a gander at the whole site but here are some sections that could of particular interest:
Backpacks (Hannah Montana is having more than photoshoot issues.)
Bathtoys
Dining & Bibs
Preschool & Interactive Toys
Now, this isn't to say that the actual toy is a huge health hazard. But it does provide parents with a solid bit of information to make a new-purchase decision on a toy their kid wants. It also helps you figure out what you may want to toss due to questionable chemical content. I also love that you can nominate a product to get tested.
Check it out -- let me know if it's helpful.
Related links on Shine:
BPA-free bottles
Government agency asks FDA to reconsider position on BPA
Toxic plastics we need to avoid
