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Are Children Playing with Poison?
As
a child's curiosity grows, more objects end up in their
mouth than ever before. A parent's last concern should
be about items meant for their children to chew on, like
teething rings and pacifiers. It is important to remember
that children's bodies are smaller versions of grown-ups.
Adults can be exposed to tiny amounts of toxins and have
a minor or no reaction, with treatable temporary effects.
Children on the other hand who come into contact with
even small amounts of poisons could have reactions such
as burning eyes, coughing, or nausea (lb)Current Health;
1999(rb) and the results could be permanent. This article
will give you some background and a few helpful tips about
what to look out for.
There are two ways the human
body can be exposed to toxins. The first route is orally
– either eaten or inhaled. Children are at risk through
ingesting food poison, breathing chemical fumes, or smelling
gasoline vapors, and should try to stay clear of these
situations. Another means of entry is through the skin,
by absorption as well as animal or bug bite. Children
can be protected from the every day hazards of poison
ivy, poison oak or insect stings through close supervision
and outdoor training. The contents of playpens and toy
boxes do not pose the same toxic threats, but do warrant
some attention by every loving parent.
Phthalates are a group of
chemicals added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymers to
create flexible plastics – shower curtains, balls,
and squeeze toys. Two well-researched phthalates are Di-Ethylhexyl
Phthalate and Di-IsoNonyl Phthalate. In 1986, Di-Ethylhexyl
Phthalate (DEPH) was found to be a carcinogen and damaging
to the human reproductive system. Initially, the manufacturers
of teethers, pacifiers and squeeze toys reduced usage
to 3%, but it wasn't enough to effectively protect children
from toxic dangers. Several 1998 material studies showed
non-toy items that children place in their mouths, like
bibs and rattles, still had disturbingly high levels of
this phthalate. In the same year it was determined that
the most common DEPH substitute - Di-IsoNonyl Phthalate
(DINP) - was also toxic, although typically not used in
amounts dangerous to children.
At the request of the Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC), 90% of toy manufacturers
decided to remove all phthalates from teethers and soft
rattles (lb)Environmental Health Perspectives; 1999(rb). So
what companies were these? (lb)According to Mothering Magazine,
the manufacturers included Disney, Evenflo, Safety First,
The First Years, Gerber, Sassy, Shelcore Toys, Hasbro
(including Playskool), and Mattel, which owns Fisher-Price,
ARCOTOYS, and Tyco Preschool. The report goes on to say
that several other companies have agreed to go beyond
the CPSC's request, pledging to remove phthalates and
PVCs from all toys designed for children three and under.
These companies include Prenatal, Grazioli, the Chicco
brand, and Rubbermaid's Little Tikes. As of early 1999,
Lego, Nike, Toys-R-Us, Wal-Mart, Sears, Target, K-Mart,
ShopKo Stores, and the Warner Brothers Studio Stores have
taken a completely PVC-free policy, by eliminating phthalate-containing
designs and taking teethers, rattles, pacifiers, and bottle
nipples with PVC off their store shelves (lb)Mothering; 1999(rb).
The key is to be like the
boy scouts, be prepared. Parents should have the number
for the poison control center ready and posted by the
phone. It is a good idea to have ipecac available, as
is knowing the appropriate dosage. Another good idea is
to keep paper and pencil by the phone to write down instructions
and to note behavior/time. In general, parents should
monitor hand to mouth activity of the child, and not just
with toys. Most importantly, caregivers should look at
the labels on toys and items children might place in their
mouths. An essential descriptor to look for is approval
of ASTM F963 the American standard limiting the phthalate
amount used in the toy to safe levels. All the years of
research into phthalates and the day-to-day monitoring
of what is near the child's mouth can pay off in a toxic-free
kid.
What to do in case of exposure
•
Stay calm (both adult and child)
• Stay alert (look for container, other toxic shock
symptoms such as nausea or light headedness, as well
as other children also exposed)
• Call the poison center and follow their instructions
on cleaning containers, tightness of lids
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