Nursery
Plastic ToysWhat You Need To KnowToys must be safe. However, many are made with plastic that you wouldn’t want your child putting in their mouths. These tips can ensure playtime is safe, and fun:
What To Avoid
Plastic:Plastic toys are most often made of Polyvinyl chloride (pvc) plastic. What makes the PVC plastic soft is a class of harmful chemicals, including Phthalates. Phthalates often get released into the air and are inhaled. Plus, children often mouth or chew toys, meaning they can swallow Phthalates too. Exposure is linked to reproductive health issues, brain development, liver cancer, birth defects, asthma, and allergies.
Safer Choices
Natural rubber:Natural rubber toys are made from the sap (Latex) of a rubber tree. Natural rubber doesn’t contain Phthalates but still check to see if it is 100% Natural rubber without any synthetic chemical additives.
Silicone:If you or your child is allergic to Natural rubber Latex, then Silicone might be a good alternative. Silicone has some the same characteristics of rubber and plastic, but is more temperature resistant and doesn’t off-gas. Note that “Latex free” claims by the manufacturer may be misLeading, so try to ensure that it is 100% Silicone without other
Bioplastics:Some bioplastic toys are now available. Bioplastics are made from plant sources such as corn or sugar cane rather than Petrochemicals. Though the way plants are currently grown for Bioplastics can be harmful for the environment, their production and ultimate biodegrading has a much smaller carbon footprint than traditional plastic. Bioplastics are free of PVC plastics and VOCs and considered to be safer for human health than traditional plastics. However, some researchers have indicated cause for caution.
Find Safer Products
Websites and Apps:
Clearya
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Clearya is a free browser extension and app that notifies you when there are unsafe ingredients in your makeup, personal care, baby care, cleaning and other products, and helps you find safe products.
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics - Nontoxic Black Beauty Project
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
They offer a list and database of non-toxic beauty products made and sold by Black-owned companies that are committed to toxic-free beauty and personal care products.
Detox Me
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
This app allows you to scan barcodes on products to find relevant tips. They also offer a buying guide to decode product labels and find non-toxic alternatives.
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
EWG has a "Skin Deep" database that rates personal care and beauty products based on their safety and toxicity levels. EWG also offers a Healthy Living app that allows you to scan barcodes and find safer products.
Think Dirty
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.
This app and website allow you to scan or search for personal care products to see their ingredient safety ratings.