Plastic Toys are Highly Toxic , Says CSE

A study conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that plastic toys contain high level of toxic phthalates.

According to the study, an exposure to these chemicals can lead to wide range of health disorders among kids who tend to put them in their mouth.

Toxic Toys For Toddlers
Toys in Indian stores were found to contain an alarmingly high ratio of lead, which made them unsafe for children

Addressing the media, the CSE Director Sunita Narayan on Friday said the toys tested for chemical content revealed that they crossed the standards set for chemical use in toys. Most of the toys were imported from China, Taiwan and many were produced in India itself.

Narayan expressed concern at the inability of the government to regulate the industry.

"We have to make sure that the imports that are incoming meet the standards, now that the effort in India is not standards because people do not want to regulate our domestic industry. So, we do not want standards. And as a result of it, even if in an industry a large part of imports, we are not able to regulate it," she said.

China Investigates Claims of Toxic Cadmium in Children's Jewellery
State media reported Thursday that China is investigating claims that children's jewellery exported to the United States contained a highly toxic metal used to make batteries and plastics.

"And I think that is really the concern here in India that we run away from regulating industry and it is our government not the Chinese government. The Chinese government is responsible for China, Indian government is responsible to us," Narayan added.

Since, January 2009, under pressure from a vigilant judiciary, authorities in India tried to regulate the safety aspects of imported toys.

Precious Materials Out of Toxic E-waste
Japan is trying to change an environmental problem into an economic advantage by mining mountains of toxic e-waste for precious materials.

Import of toys from China was banned in India.

But while making it mandatory for imports to conform to standards, the authorities doesn't ask its own industry to meet the same.

Popular Hamster Toy Has Dangerous Levels of Toxic Metal
A consumer watchdog has laid claims that the popular hamster toy Mister Squiggles contains dangerous levels of a toxic metal.

The ban lapses on January 23, 2010, which is a major concern, says the CSE.

Source-ANI
SAV