Good Info on Plastics in Toys
What's So Toxic About Plastic
ALTERNATIVES TO TOYS MADE WITH PVC: Look for and ask for PVC-free toys! There are many alternatives to vinyl and the following toy-makers are among those companies committed to safe, PVC-free toys:
Small World Toys (makes PVC-free teething toys and “Gertie” balls)
Early Start
BRIO Corporation
APRICA Kassai Incorporated
Lamaze Infant Development
Little Tikes (Rubbermaid)
Ravensburger
Turner Toys
Lego Toys
Toys R Us, in November 1998, announced its 'immediate plans for the worldwide removal of all direct-to-mouth products for infant use containing phthalates, such as teethers, rattles and pacifiers.'
2.10.2009
1.22.2009
Name This Blog
Ok, so the blog name cpsia2008mfr isn't the best. I did it in a hurry. But before we get too far into this, do you want to consider a different name? If you give me ideas, I can see if they're available. I can also restrict who can see it, if we want to do that. So chime in on this post and let me know if you think just stick with the name as is or come up with a better one. All ideas are welcome!
1.10.2009
From The Smart Mama
Most of you know I test products using a Niton XRF analyzer. I've tested more than 75,000 products by now, and wanted to share the results with those of you concerned about the CPSIA. I've tested toys, household products, new clothing, used clothing, textiles, sheets, ceramics, etc.
If you aren't familiar with the XRF, it is a portable analyzer that can be used to test household products including clothing for lead and other elements. I can even test your diamond ring and determine whether it is actually a diamond (although not the 4 Cs).
So, here is what I've found in terms of items on clothing that have failed (exceeded the August 300 ppm limit that will be effective in 8/14/09) - some of these numbers differ from a previous post I did because I went and reviewed my testing results:
(1) Brass can fail, particularly when it is a buckle or purse joining (and in household keys too) - usually has lead at 15,000 ppm;
(2) Some metal zipper pulls fail, particularly decorative ones found on girl's clothing - those lacy or filigree looking ones - have found as high as 28,000 ppm;
(3) Crystals fail, such as adornment on dresses;
(4) Some rhinestones fail;
(5) Some decals on fronts of shirt fail - the vinyl ones;
(6) I have had red dyed textiles fail;
(7) Those slighly opalescent or pearl look or shell look buttons frequently fail, anywhere from 1,400 ppm and up;
(8) Faux pearl adornments frequently fail;
(9) Some zipper and zipper stops fail;
(10) Some painted on decorations have failed - it seemed like silk screen to me, but I'm not really an expert on that.
Jennifer
www.thesmartmama.com
To answer some of the questions for me, the lead swabs are accurate probably 60% of the time. In fact, the CPSC issued a statement about them saying that they aren't reliable, although Consumer Reports did its own investigation and found certain ones better and useful as a screening tool if you understood the limitations. One limitation is that they don't detect low concentrations well.
Real mother of pearl doesn't seem to fail - just the fake opalescent or pearl buttons. Had several today fail at 8,000 ppm.
On zippers, doesn't have to be painted. Same with snaps, grommets, etc.
My daughter used to wear a lot of Gymboree. I've had some failures . . . I'll have to dig out the information and figure out. But it was buttons and some rhinestones on lines. She mostly wore 2004 / 2005 lines. I'll go look before everybody freaks out.
And yes, I've had manufacturers tell me okay, test all these onesies, but you only need to test one set of snaps because all from same source. Ask them whether source buys all from same source. usually don't know. Spot check with testing - invariabily, some will fail even though all from same supplier.
Am testing some books. Only books that have failed are those that are vinyl - particularly those books for babies in the bath.
Dermal exposure from lead is usually absorption rate of 1%. Problem with lead is that it wears off from the surfce - such as a zipper that has friction - and then is transferred to hands as lead contaminated dust, which is then ingested. Children absorb into their bodies between 35 and 75% of lead that reaches their stomaches, and 50% of the lead that they inhale. Adults only absorb 11%.
And, there hasn't been a standard for lead in clothing generally. There has been a standard for lead in paints and coatings, and certain states have requirements or regulations such as California's Proposition 65. But prior to CPSIA, there was no ban or limitation on using lead in vinyl for a child's raincoat or faux leather jacket, except in California you would have had to have a Prop 65 warning. I know there has been several posters about this, but it isn't right. If a paint or coating was used on a fabric, yes, but not in fabric or clothing pieces specifically.
Think that was all the questions directed at me.
Jennifer
www.thesmartmama.com
If you aren't familiar with the XRF, it is a portable analyzer that can be used to test household products including clothing for lead and other elements. I can even test your diamond ring and determine whether it is actually a diamond (although not the 4 Cs).
So, here is what I've found in terms of items on clothing that have failed (exceeded the August 300 ppm limit that will be effective in 8/14/09) - some of these numbers differ from a previous post I did because I went and reviewed my testing results:
(1) Brass can fail, particularly when it is a buckle or purse joining (and in household keys too) - usually has lead at 15,000 ppm;
(2) Some metal zipper pulls fail, particularly decorative ones found on girl's clothing - those lacy or filigree looking ones - have found as high as 28,000 ppm;
(3) Crystals fail, such as adornment on dresses;
(4) Some rhinestones fail;
(5) Some decals on fronts of shirt fail - the vinyl ones;
(6) I have had red dyed textiles fail;
(7) Those slighly opalescent or pearl look or shell look buttons frequently fail, anywhere from 1,400 ppm and up;
(8) Faux pearl adornments frequently fail;
(9) Some zipper and zipper stops fail;
(10) Some painted on decorations have failed - it seemed like silk screen to me, but I'm not really an expert on that.
Jennifer
www.thesmartmama.com
To answer some of the questions for me, the lead swabs are accurate probably 60% of the time. In fact, the CPSC issued a statement about them saying that they aren't reliable, although Consumer Reports did its own investigation and found certain ones better and useful as a screening tool if you understood the limitations. One limitation is that they don't detect low concentrations well.
Real mother of pearl doesn't seem to fail - just the fake opalescent or pearl buttons. Had several today fail at 8,000 ppm.
On zippers, doesn't have to be painted. Same with snaps, grommets, etc.
My daughter used to wear a lot of Gymboree. I've had some failures . . . I'll have to dig out the information and figure out. But it was buttons and some rhinestones on lines. She mostly wore 2004 / 2005 lines. I'll go look before everybody freaks out.
And yes, I've had manufacturers tell me okay, test all these onesies, but you only need to test one set of snaps because all from same source. Ask them whether source buys all from same source. usually don't know. Spot check with testing - invariabily, some will fail even though all from same supplier.
Am testing some books. Only books that have failed are those that are vinyl - particularly those books for babies in the bath.
Dermal exposure from lead is usually absorption rate of 1%. Problem with lead is that it wears off from the surfce - such as a zipper that has friction - and then is transferred to hands as lead contaminated dust, which is then ingested. Children absorb into their bodies between 35 and 75% of lead that reaches their stomaches, and 50% of the lead that they inhale. Adults only absorb 11%.
And, there hasn't been a standard for lead in clothing generally. There has been a standard for lead in paints and coatings, and certain states have requirements or regulations such as California's Proposition 65. But prior to CPSIA, there was no ban or limitation on using lead in vinyl for a child's raincoat or faux leather jacket, except in California you would have had to have a Prop 65 warning. I know there has been several posters about this, but it isn't right. If a paint or coating was used on a fabric, yes, but not in fabric or clothing pieces specifically.
Think that was all the questions directed at me.
Jennifer
www.thesmartmama.com
Clothing
"Certificate of Compliance
Subject: Content of Lead
Certification
To whom it may concern
We hereby certify that the products manufactured by YKK comply with requirements for lead content found in CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act).
YKK will also continue our extensive research for materials and technologies that allow us to keep our products free from anything that is toxic to human health and to the environment. Your continued cooperation and concerns regarding quality and the environment will help us to continue finding new solutions, allowing us to offer the highest quality products."
It does not cover surface coating on a zipper or any additional charms of course.
Fashion-Incubator message board
XRF Testing Results
Subject: Content of Lead
Certification
To whom it may concern
We hereby certify that the products manufactured by YKK comply with requirements for lead content found in CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act).
YKK will also continue our extensive research for materials and technologies that allow us to keep our products free from anything that is toxic to human health and to the environment. Your continued cooperation and concerns regarding quality and the environment will help us to continue finding new solutions, allowing us to offer the highest quality products."
It does not cover surface coating on a zipper or any additional charms of course.
Fashion-Incubator message board
XRF Testing Results
1.09.2009
1.08.2009
Evenflo
Evenflo products
1/20/09 Elizabeth "The agent at Evenflo say they have never used lead-based paints or plastics on their gear products and that all products contain only water-based paint. There has never been as issue with lead in their products b/c they do not use it."
1/20/09 Elizabeth "The agent at Evenflo say they have never used lead-based paints or plastics on their gear products and that all products contain only water-based paint. There has never been as issue with lead in their products b/c they do not use it."
1.07.2009
Fisher Price
Fisher Price products
1/21/09 Elizabeth "The gal at Fisher Price told me (and she actually sounded aware of the legislation) they have never had a problem with excessive lead count in their gear (just some toys). Their high chairs, swings, bouncers, etc. are all safe and meet the new requirements. She said I can feel confident buying these products used in terms of compliance. Anything that has been known to contain excessive levels is listed on their site in the recall section, but there has not been any baby gear in recent production affected."
1/21/09 Elizabeth "The gal at Fisher Price told me (and she actually sounded aware of the legislation) they have never had a problem with excessive lead count in their gear (just some toys). Their high chairs, swings, bouncers, etc. are all safe and meet the new requirements. She said I can feel confident buying these products used in terms of compliance. Anything that has been known to contain excessive levels is listed on their site in the recall section, but there has not been any baby gear in recent production affected."
1.06.2009
Graco
1/22/09--Agent said Graco gear has never had an issue with lead dating back 25 years. Anything on the market right now complies with the most recent standards, including Feb. 10 standards.
To receive written verification of this, call (610) 884-8000.
To receive written verification of this, call (610) 884-8000.
1.05.2009
Kolcraft
Kolcraft products
1/21/09 Elizabeth "Kolcraft said none of their products, specifically the Tot Rider 2 walker I asked about, contain lead. She said they have not used lead in any products manufactured after Jan. '08"
1/21/09 Elizabeth "Kolcraft said none of their products, specifically the Tot Rider 2 walker I asked about, contain lead. She said they have not used lead in any products manufactured after Jan. '08"
Little Tikes
Little Tikes products
"Although applicable Little Tikes products have tested safe for lead and other heavy metals, Little Tikes is re-testing many of its products since the toy recalls were first announced several weeks ago to verify. Absolutely NO safety issues whatsoever have been brought to our attention by any of the testers and/or labs."
Little Tikes website (then click Safety)
"Although applicable Little Tikes products have tested safe for lead and other heavy metals, Little Tikes is re-testing many of its products since the toy recalls were first announced several weeks ago to verify. Absolutely NO safety issues whatsoever have been brought to our attention by any of the testers and/or labs."
Little Tikes website (then click Safety)
1.04.2009
1.02.2009
1.01.2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)