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Chemicals in Fake Christmas Toys Linked to Cancer and Asthma Risk in Children

by Reshma Anand on Dec 17 2015 4:29 PM

Chemicals in Fake Christmas Toys Linked to Cancer and Asthma Risk in Children
Most children love to buy toys, dolls and popular figures during Christmas. But a National Trading Institute has warned parents not to buy fake Christmas toys for their children as they contain higher amounts of a chemical called “Phthalates”.
If phthalates are ingested, it can lead to an increased risk of cancer, asthma and fertility problems in later life. Therefore, parents are advised to keep children away from such fake toys and not to buy them since they are cheaper.

The regulatory body has seized a lot of fake Christmas toys in Europe last year. They reported that toys and child care products contain higher amounts of phthalates which is tightly regulated across Europe and toy manufacturers and products must contain not more than 0.1%.

Robert Chantry-Price, a lead officer for product safety at the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said, “It is frightening to think that large quantities of phthalates are still being used in children’s toys, especially when it can cause such serious long term consequences to a person’s health.”

He added, “Phthalates are carcinogenic, mutagenic and can cause reproductive problems but, despite legislation to the contrary, significant amounts of these substances can be found in a wide range of toys and child care products.”

The board has issued certain points for parents to keep in mind while buying plastic toys. They are,
  • Be cautious and don’t fall for the first deal
  • Avoid road side shops and buy only from reputed shops
  • Beware of products which are drastically cheaper
  • Check the packaging for the distributor's details and a CE mark


  • Source-Medindia


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