Toxic Toys - What Au Pairs and Host Families Need to Know

Did you know the United States is one of the few developed countries that still allows children to play with toys that some scientists say may cause infertility in boys?

The chemical in question found in some plastic toys is called phthalates (pronounced thal-ates). Though not widely known, the chemical is said to cause considerable problems for children and especially in boys. The European Union has even banned this substance in products created for children, but the U.S. has yet to put a ban on the substance.

The phthalates help soften materials like PVC or vinyl. Phthalates are used in toys that are soft and squishy - possibly your child’s favorite rubber duckies and baby dolls. It is also said to be found in other highly flexible toys like children's photo albums, purses and other toys.

If you are worried one or many of your children’s toys may contain this chemical, there are two ways of finding out. First you can look at the packaging, some PVC toys are labeled with a V or #3 inside the chasing arrows triangle usually located on the bottom of a product. If the product has the V or #3 then you know it is made of PVC and there is a high likelihood that the toy contains phthalates.

Although there is not a comprehensive list of toys that contains phthalates, HealthyToys.org has compiled a searchable list of some 1,200 toys. There is also another Web site called MomsRising.org that has taken advantage of new technology to provide parents with a way to check if a toy may have phthaltates with just a text message. Parents can text "healthytoys” with the name, type and manufacture of the toy to 41411, and MomsRising will instantly respond with a text message letting you know if the toy is toxic.

This information is especially important during this holiday season as many Host Families and Au Pairs look at buying gifts for the children they love and care for.

More information regarding toxic toys and how to avoid them can be found on the PBS Web site. There was also a special video report by NOW Senior Correspondent Maria Hinojosa, covering the toxic toys with more detailed information.