Chemicals in children's plastic toys

[nice sax]

We recently purchased a plastic activity desk from Toys R Us for our two year old granddaughter but my son and his partner are reluctant to let her use it as they say there are certain chemicals in plastic which can affect the fertility in girls in later years. Does anyone know what this chemical is called as I would like to check with Toys R Us on the authenticity of this. They are also not letting her play with Lego! for the same reason.

[ChuckFickens]

think they are being paranoid personally, but it's probably Bisphenol A (BPA) that they mean.

[another-view]

People have been playing with lego for years with none of these effects.

[R1Geezer]

I'll bet they are smokers!

[R1Geezer]

It's that dihydrogen monoxide you have to watch, it's everywhere!

[martybabe]

MAJOR cause of exposure would seem to be through diet rather than environmental/ skin contact. I don't think there's much to worry about.

[chakka35]

I find it difficult to take this seriously. Even if these neurotic parents have removed all plastic from the rest of their home, what about schools and other places where their child will meet such devilishly dangerous stuff? Will there be a note for teacher saying that she must not touch plastic at all, which means an isolation classroom just for her? The best treatment for suspected plastic poisoning is a dose of common-sense.

[Hawkwalk]

they may be refering to a group of chemicals called phthalates which have been linked to causing damage to reproductive organs by some studies. These have been restricted or banned from use in toys. All toys will be subject to EU safety regs and must pass strict testing for migration of chemicals. As long as the toys carry the CE mark there should be no reason to over react.

As for lego - I dont think the Danish are any more sterile than the rest of Europe and they make the stuff!!