Sweden finds banned phthalates in toys

The Swedish Chemicals Agency has had an analysis made of a number of toys to see if they contained banned softening agents in plastic, known as phthalates. Some toys contained higher concentrations than permitted.

Bath toys
In total, 22 inflatable bath toys were analyzed, for example bathing rings, mattresses and beach balls to check the contents of a number of banned phtha­lates. Three bath toys contained high levels of the phthalates DINP and DIDP. The results show that the phthalates that have so far been considered to constitute the greatest risks were not present in the products.

The companies that supplied the three toys have been informed of the results and now have to stop selling the products.

Frida Ramström, technical officer in Kemi's enforcement division, said the companies contacted were all Swedish and that “all of the products were made in China”.  She added that the agency planned to analyse more toys this autumn to examine phthalate levels. “This time it will not be bathing toys, but soft plastic toys like dolls, Halloween masks and so on," she explained. "I cannot say when the results from this study will be finished, since we have not started yet, but hopefully before Christmas.”