Caution! Children at Play

We need to help each other with a fundamental problem. Our consumption and waste trend is not sustainable. This trend is leading to detrimental health effects. Take a moment and think . . . do you know anyone with diabetes, dementia, obesity, hypertension, cancer, ADHD, or infertility? These are just a few of the threats to human health with direct links to plastic. Over $1.5 trillion is spent annually on health costs related to plastic (University of Maryland, 2024). 

Plastic is made from over 16,000 chemicals; less than 6%, however, are regulated. Over 90% of children’s toys are made of polyvinyl chloride and phthalates which cause cancer and hormonal disruptions. Phthalates help make plastics like PVC more flexible and can be found in teethers, backpacks, rubber duckies, sippy cups, pacifiers and baby bottles. Phthalates have been linked to numerous health problems, including cancer, endocrine disruption, development delays, and reproductive system damage.

Research is showing that micro- and nanoplastics have entered our human bodies and have created havoc. The International Pollutants Elimination Network provided data on the current situation which allows plastics to poison the children’s toy industry. Based on chemical analyses, 15 out of 24 toys, and 16 out of 24 consumer products showed higher levels than the proposed standard for chlorinated dioxins (Toxic Soup, 2018). Chlorinated dioxins found in plastic toys are considered some of the most toxic poisons known to humans and can harm our neurological, reproductive, developmental, and hormonal systems or introduce carcinogens. Microplastics have been found in 15 human biological systems, including the blood, liver, lungs, placenta, kidneys, spleen, and sputum (Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics, 2025). 

Between 2018-2030 there will be 1.38 million toys manufactured. With the low recyclability of toys, it is safe to say that every plastic toy EVER made is still out there. Plastic is a permanent polluter and nearly 80% of all toys end up in a landfill.  When plastic breaks down in a landfill, it becomes microplastics and nanoplastics which then enter the soil and waterways. Discarded plastic that makes its way to water is broken down by ultraviolet light, heat and sand abrasion. From there, it breaks down further into micro- and nanoplastics.  Plastic is also burned. In the United States, six times more plastic is burned than recycled according to a recent Green Peace report (Usefull, 2023). 

There is a plastic awareness that is spreading and that shift needs to carry impactful changes. When choosing the next children's toy for your small loved one, think about the lasting effects this toy will have on their health and the health of the planet. There are many alternatives to plastic toys for children: wooden blocks, bamboo, organic cotton, natural rubber, and metal toys. Even purchasing second hand helps to eliminate the plastic packaging and carbon footprint that toys hold. Without regulation of these ​​harmful substances including phthalates (plastic softeners), chlorinated paraffin, UV stabilizers and heavy metals in our children’s toys, it is up to the consumer to stay aware and knowledgeable of the items that come into their lives. 

With the goal of protecting future generations and their health, let's think about the toys that are introduced to our children. What is it made from, what is its purpose, what is its useful lifespan, how will it be disposed of, and what long term effects will this toy have? 

Is it worth it?

References:

Clinical and experimental pediatrics (2025). Microplastic and human health with focus on pediatric well-being: a comprehensive review and call for future studies. Chia, R. W., Atem, N. V., Lee, J. Y., & Cha, J. https://doi.org/10.3345/cep.2023.01739

Environment International (2023). Global survey of dioxin- and thyroid hormone-like activities in consumer products and toys. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2023.108079

Behnisch, P., Petrlik, J., Budin, C., Besselink, H., Felzel, E., Strakova, J., Bell, L., Kuepouo, G., Gharbi, S., Bejarano, F., Jensen, G. K., DiGangi, J., Ismawati, Y., Speranskaya, O., Da, M., Pulkrabova, J., Gramblicka, T., Brabcova, K., & Brouwer, A.

Toxic Soup (2018). https://www.env-health.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Toxic_Soup_brochure_en_web04-1.pdf

University of Maryland (2024). Health, Economic Costs of Exposure to 3 Chemicals in Plastic: $1.5T in a Year, Study Shows.

https://today.umd.edu/health-economic-costs-of-exposure-to-3-chemicals-in-plastic-1-5t-in-a-year-study-shows

Usefull (2023). Recycling is not the answer to our plastic problem.

https://www.usefull.us/recycling-is-not-the-answer-to-our-plastic-problem/#:~:text=After%20all%2C%20that%20material%20will,How%20is%20this%20possible%3F