Question from Mir
My kids have been begging for toy dinosaurs. I am looking for your advice on the toxicity levels of a few, and what you’d do 😉
Depending on your answers, I think I may just make these ‘outside toys’. Please let me know if the risks of any of these materials, in your opinion, are still too high.
Most of the mass-produced ones seem to be made of vinyl, often described as “PVC-free vinyl”. Often I just can’t find the materials.
They like these (which are PVC!)
https://www.target.com/p/jurassic-world-legacy-collection-tyrannosaurus-rex-pack/-/A-75561714
Materials are listed as:
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Metal, Polypropylene
My gut tells me PVC-free vinyl probably isn’t any better, do you know?
Here are some seemingly safer options, what are your thoughts?
https://www.greenrubbertoys.com/products-page/dinosaurs/dinosaurs/
Battat:
These actually look like the COULD be decent because they may just be like ABS plastic? But I can’t find details:
https://www.battatco.com/catalogs/2020/Terra_Catalogue_2020.pdf
And in another ‘low-toxin’ forum, these were suggested, although I can’t seem to find details:
Bullyland:
https://www.bullyland.de/en/products-worlds/dinosaur-park/
Sorry for all the links, I’m trying to do as much research as I can!
Lisa’s Answer
Based on the information available in the links, greenrubbertoys.com seems like the best bet. While I have a couple questions about their products, I am impressed with the information they do provide. They are made with natural latex. You might want to confirm that it is 100% natural latex with no additives but even if it isn’t, it’s a better choice than the others. They provide testing results for each product line. Toys with brown paint may contain very low levels of lead, far below allowable limits. Have your kids wash their hands after playing and of course, make sure they don’t put them in their mouths.
I would avoid anything with PVC. The Target item has PVC. The Hearthsong item has a Prop 65 warning label for Toulene, which means it is probably made of PVC. I couldn’t find any information on materials on the Bullyland, battatco or Desertcart websites.
PEVA and EVA are two non-PVC vinyls. They are typically safer than PVC because they don’t contain chlorine, and don’t typically contain phthalates. They are however, petroleum-based plastic and can contain a number of chemical additives. For example formamide is a hotly debated ingredient in EVA foam. I know it’s really hard to find toys that have no plastic. I think the natural latex dinosaur is a good choice!
I’m still waiting for those dinosaurs to come in. In the meantime, we went with the Battat ones. Here is what they said:
The large bucket figures and pieces are made from phthalate free PVC and are BPA-free. They are lead free. They do not contain any metals, and are all third party tested and pass all US, Canadian and the stricter European testing standards. We are happy to provide the reports on products that are purchased. We pass all CPSIA testing.
My question is: are these toxins the type that would transfer onto their hands? My rule was they had to wash their hands after playing with them but they’re constantly playing with them and it’s hard to manage this. Or is it more a concern of breathing them in?
The fact that they are free of lead and phthalates is good. That is what would transfer to their hands. The PVC will offgas but it is one very small source. I think you have to make changes where you can. If this is something you felt like you really needed to buy, accept the small exposure. Once your kids lose interest in them, get rid of them.
thank you!
Thanks so much. I am on a waitlist for these rubber ones but I know they won’t check all the boxes. Would playing with the awful PVC ones outside and then washing hands be a reasonable compromise? :-/
I think only you can answer that question:). There is no doubt that your children are exposed to PVC at school, on playdates, etc. I think you have to make compromises when and where you can and find a balance that is right for you.