Plastic in Toys Linked to Cancer Agent

WASHINGTON —  Studies released Friday by two environmental groups found that numerous toys and plastic teething rings used by children contain a chemical that caused cancer in laboratory animals and called for the removal of all toys made with the chemical.

The studies by the nonprofit environmental groups Greenpeace and the National Environment Trust estimated that, based on their samples, up to 20% of the nation’s toys contain DINP, a widely used plastic additive in children’s products from teething rings to action figures, which gives plastic toys a softer, more pliable feel.

One of the tests, conducted by the STAT Analysis Corp., a private scientific testing firm in Chicago, found that diisononyl phthalate, or DINP, was present at high levels in 33 toys examined for the National Environment Trust. The second test, conducted by scientists hired by Greenpeace, made similar findings in a separate analysis of soft plastic toys.

Both studies concluded that children may be in danger because many of the toys tested are used by youngsters who may chew or suck them. The reports said the danger arises because the chemical is not bound to the plastic and can be leached into the body through saliva or ingesting small pieces of the toy.

Manufacturing Group Sees No Risks

Some officials, however, cautioned that the studies offer no conclusive proof that children could be harmed by toys containing the chemical.

Terri Bartlett, spokeswoman for the Toy Manufacturers of America, said her organization believes toys containing DINP pose no risks to children. “We’ve reviewed the science, and everything we’ve seen says these toys are safe,” Bartlett said.

Some in the chemical industry acknowledge that the chemical caused liver damage when given to rats but say the dosage was much higher than the exposure from toys and add that tests have shown the process that caused the liver damage does not occur in humans.

The American Council on Science and Health, a New York-based health advocacy group that gets some funding from industry, announced the formation of a panel headed by former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop to review the safety of DINP, among a group of chemicals called phthalates.

DINP came under scrutiny in May when the Clinton administration lobbied on behalf of U.S. toy companies against a temporary ban by the European Union on toys containing the chemical. The union ultimately decided against a permanent ban.

Chemical First Used in ‘80s

DINP was first used in the toy industry in the 1980s, replacing another chemical that also was shown to cause liver damage in laboratory animals. Representatives of Greenpeace and the National Environmental Trust said that DINP was not fully tested before being put to use as an alternative.

“It’s a very poorly investigated chemical with massive exposure to children,” said David Ozonoff, chairman of Boston University’s environmental health department, who spoke on behalf of the trust at a news conference Friday.

Both groups called for a removal of all toys containing the chemical.

But toy industry officials argued that these studies are not conclusive enough to warrant a ban of DINP, even though substitute chemicals can be used in most instances.

Still, many toy companies, like El Segundo-based Mattel Inc., are limiting their use of the chemical to ease consumer worries. Mattel announced in September its plan to phase out DINP in teething toys aimed at children younger than 3. Rubbermaid said it will cease using the chemical in its Little Tikes line of toys.

Bartlett said industry efforts to limit DINP were not taken because the companies believe the chemical is harmful.

“I think these companies have done what they have to do to keep their customers happy, not because they believe their products aren’t safe,” Bartlett said.

Both environmental groups are also asking that companies be required to list all the chemicals in their products--a procedure they are not now required to do, but may have to if a proposed “parents right to know” bill is approved by Congress.

“Children are always sucking or chewing on plastic toys. I think they eat more plastic than broccoli every day,” said Harvey Karp, a Santa Monica pediatrician who addressed the news conference.

“Children are getting constant exposure to plastics, and just because we haven’t seen it, we can’t assume there’s no long-term effects,” Karp said.