In almost every household with a child, you will not miss a toy that is either used to distract them or keep them busy. According to research, toys positively contribute to children's cognitive, emotional and physical development. In Kenya, the safety of toys is regulated through ISO standard 8124-5. It deals with safety of toys in relation to mechanical and physical properties, flammability, and migration of certain elements.
However, a study, 'Dangerous Fun: A Price of Play', has uncovered alarming levels of toxic chemicals in children's toys sold in Kenya. The study conducted by the Centre for Environment Justice and Development in collaboration with Arnika and International Pollutants Elimination Network, found that plastic toys on the Kenyan market contain hazardous substances, including phthalates, chlorinated paraffins, and UV stabilisers, all of which pose significant risks to children’s health and the environment.
The report analysed 11 samples of PVC-based toys, including dolls, inflatable balls, and teething toys, collected from various retailers in Nairobi. Laboratory tests revealed that all tested toys contained at least two phthalates, with some samples exceeding the European Union’s regulatory limits by over 50 times. One of the most concerning discoveries was that a Spiderman inflatable suit contained 52,270 mg/kg of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a known endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive toxicity and developmental disorders while a sampled teething toy contained the second-highest level of UV-326.
PVC toys rely on additives such as phthalates, short-chain and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins and UV stabilisers to enhance flexibility, durability, and resistance to degradation. However, these chemicals pose significant risks to children due to their potential for migration from toys and exposure through mouthing, dermal contact, and inhalation.
Despite their ban under the Stockholm Convention, SCCPs have been detected in new plastics, including PVC consumer products and toys. Unlike the EU and other developed nations, Kenya currently lacks regulations restricting the use of these hazardous chemicals in toys. The absence of clear labelling on the tested toys means parents are unaware of the potential dangers their children are exposed to.
To protect parents from exposing children to these chemicals, there is need for policy interventions like banning toxic additives in toys, implementing strict chemical safety standards, and enforcing proper labelling of consumer products.
As plastic pollution and chemical exposure continue to threaten human and environmental health, urgent steps must be taken to ensure that children’s toys are safe. The new Plastics treaty presents a critical opportunity to advocate for binding international commitments to phase out hazardous additives in plastics.
How can we protect our children from this exposure? Manufacturers must disclose hazardous substances in toys, allowing consumers to make informed choices when purchasing the toys, this will help in protecting children from exposures to hazardous chemicals.
The government must prohibit the use of phthalates, SCCPs, MCCPs, and toxic UV stabilisers in children’s toys by strengthening safety regulations with global standards that promote the use of non-toxic materials in toy manufacturing.
Ms Kombo is a communications officer, Centre For Environment Justice and Development
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