Warning Against Plastic Swimming Toys

Manila is sizzling. Many Filipinos are heading to the beach or the pool. Many of us, and most especially children, take plastic swimming toys to add more fun during water dips and swims. Unknown to many, swimming toys may contain toxic chemicals, called phthalates. These chemicals were found and have been proven to be hazardous and damaging to health. Thus, if parents are not educated and informed about these dangerous chemicals in swimming toys, their children might be exposed to harmful substances that may have long-term effects on the health and wellbeing.

What are phthalates?

Phthalates are chemicals that are loaded and used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic products to make them more flexible. Plastic toys in the market that were identified to contain the toxic and health-damaging chemicals include inflatable swimming floats, swim rings, and related swimming toys. Many European countries have cited withdrawals of identified dangerous swimming toys that are laced with phthalates. The governments of France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Latvia, and Slovakia have notified the European Union's Rapid Alert System for Non-Food Dangerous Products against the presence of the toxic chemicals in plastic toys.

Our Department of Health issued Administrative Order 2009-0005A, as amended in 2011, prohibiting the sale of children's toys containing over 1% of phthalates DEHP (Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate), DBP (Dibutyl phthalate), and BBP (Butylbenzyl phthalate). In addition, toys that children may put in their mouth that contain more than 1% of DINP (Dilsononyl phthalate), DIDP (Disodecyl phthalate) and DNOP (di-n-octyl phthalate) are similarly toxic to the body.

Harmful effects of phthalate

Phthalates are linked to the development of asthma, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, obesity, and cancer. It is an endocrine-disrupting chemical known to produce birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, undescended testicles, deformed penis, premature puberty, and premature delivery in pregnant women.

Avoidance

Always read product labels. Avoid products with the plastic label "3" and those with PVC or vinyl in the product markings. Always look for 'license-to-operate' number on the label. This indicates the producer company's compliance with the DOH requirements. Avoid plastic products with strong plastic smell. If you have unintentionally and mistakenly bought a plastic toy and you are unsure whether it is phthalate-free or not, unpack and leave the product outdoors to allow some airing to let some of the hazardous substances disappear in the air.