| Consumers are very trusting of products they | | | | chemicals, such as dioxins, and phthalates. PVC is |
| buy, naively assuming that everything found on | | | | another controversial material and opinions on its |
| the store shelves is completely safe to use. The | | | | use range from advisory bodies and |
| fact is that there are many compounds and | | | | environmental organisations such as Greenpeace |
| chemicals in commercial use which are subject to | | | | advocating its full phase-out to European industry |
| ongoing research and controversy you may not | | | | representatives claiming that its production causes |
| be even aware of. This is something to bare in | | | | minimum harmless emissions. It needs to be |
| mind when choosing toys and accessories for | | | | mentioned that PVC plastic has been believed to |
| babies and young children because they are at a | | | | cause cancer and harm the immune and |
| more sensitive stage in their development and | | | | reproductive systems. |
| particularly vulnerable to the effects of unsafe | | | | Manufacturers and retailers are slowly starting to |
| and toxic substances. Here we offer brief | | | | recognize these potential risks and PVC use in |
| information on three chemicals known or | | | | products where healthier substitutes are available |
| suspected to pose health risks - BPA, PVC and | | | | will gradually diminish. Parents have the option to |
| Phthalates. | | | | choose PVC-free products for their babies and |
| Bisphenol A, commonly abbreviated as BPA is an | | | | young children while more evidence of its safety |
| industrial chemical foundin some plastics and plastic | | | | becomes available. By avoiding PVC you also |
| additives. Products containing bisphenol A plastics | | | | reduce your exposure to phthalates. |
| have been in commerce for more than 50 years | | | | Phthalates are a class of chemicals often found in |
| and nearly for that long they have caused | | | | PVC. They are added to plastic products such as |
| concerns about their potential harm to human | | | | children’s toys to increase their flexibility and |
| health and the environment. | | | | durability. Phthalates are easily released into the |
| BPA is used in the manufacturing of baby bottles | | | | environment and when absorbed can disrupt |
| and toys, water bottles, metal cans and food | | | | natural hormones and cause potential health |
| storage containers amongst other products. | | | | problems, especially in young children. Phthalates |
| Studies have shown that the leach of the | | | | are being phased out of many products in the |
| chemical into food or liquid is a common | | | | USA and EU over health concerns such as |
| occurrence during normal, everyday use of plastic | | | | asthma, allergies, hormone disruption, metabolic |
| products. New research results prove that even | | | | disorders, reproductive problems, liver and kidney |
| drinking water out of a plastic bottle can increase | | | | damage . In contrast with the BPA legislation, the |
| the content of BPA found in the human body. | | | | European Union is leading with the number of |
| Research has linked BPA with adverse health | | | | restricted and banned phthalates. |
| effects such as disturbed brain development, | | | | These are just a few facts to raise awareness of |
| diabetes, obesity, breast cancer, reproductive | | | | possible toxicity in baby and children’s |
| disorders, cardiovascular disease, behavioural and | | | | products. Finding enough evidence to categorize |
| hormonal changes. While the European Union has | | | | them as official health threats is a long process of |
| not recognized BPA as a toxic and harmful | | | | scientific studies and research that may take |
| substance, USA and Canada are moving towards | | | | years. In the mean time governments are happy |
| issuing legislation that would ban the use of BPA in | | | | with reports showing that minimum quantities of |
| certain products. Major retailers such as Walmart | | | | these chemicals are not harmful. What they |
| have already pulled BPA bottles and food | | | | don’t tell us about is that very little research |
| containers from their stores and some | | | | has been done on what our cumulative exposure |
| manufacturers have voluntarily eliminated it from | | | | may be from all the chemicals in our homes, |
| their products. | | | | workplaces, nurseries and schools. The use of a |
| While government reports are not conclusive on | | | | singular product may not pose an immediate |
| the effects of BPA on humans and as always are | | | | health threat but the continuous exposure to a |
| suggesting that more research is needed, | | | | large number of chemical substances from various |
| concerned parents should not wait for legislation | | | | sources can have a totally different effect. |
| to protect their children from toxins. There is | | | | When choosing children’s products and |
| enough evidence that toxic effects from BPA on | | | | accessories there are many safe and natural |
| humans and particularly children cannot be ruled | | | | alternatives for parents who want to follow |
| out, which is a valid reason to try and avoid using | | | | precautionary principles in their child’s |
| BPA plastics as much as possible. | | | | upbringing. Our recommendations is to always |
| Polyvinyl chloride plastic, commonly referred to as | | | | check the labelling and question what your |
| PVC or vinyl, is another potentially hazardous | | | | child’s products contain. |
| material that can be found in baby and | | | | Sophie the Giraffe and Chan, Pie, Gnon teething |
| children’s products, such as toys and bibs. It | | | | toys are made of natural rubber and free from |
| can be dangerous to human health and the | | | | BPA , PVC and phthalates. |
| environment throughout its entire production, | | | | Under the Nile premium organic cotton toys are |
| product life cycle, and even in its waste disposal | | | | both safe and a fun way to educate and |
| because it is thought to release poisonous | | | | entertain your kids. |