The effects of toy toxins

Toys that contain certain toxins such as PVC (phthalates), BPA, and DINP pose hazards to our children. Some effects could be apparent immediately and others will not be apparent for years to come. Here are some of the potential hazards that come from being exposed to these toxins that are found in unregulated children’s toys.

•  BPA (Bisphenol A) is a plastic hardener and is used in all kinds of bottles, CD discs, infant sippy cups and the hardened plastic around pacifiers but not the teat. It is still under investigation for the exact hazards it causes because there is no linked evidence of its effects on people, but studies based on animals, show there is “some concern” about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behaviour, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and young children.
• DINP (Diisononyl phthalate) has been linked to possible health problems arising in later life from children’s repeated handling and chewing of toys containing DINP – Such as blood, kidney, and liver issues. Disononyl pthalate has also been linked to fertility/developmental-related effects.
• There are different kinds of phthalates, three that have been named the most potent. Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP). These and other phthalates can be found in toys made from soft plastic or with a soft plastic component such as bath toys, baby gyms, soft books, PVC squeeze toys, inflatable toys and many more…

Do you know what’s in your children’s toys?

Play it safe – Buy Organic

Joanne@Kimbee

Continue Harvesting Natural Rubber…

Hevea Brasiliensis Tree
The bark of the tree is ‘tapped’, this means cutting small slits into the bark, so that the white sap, known as latex, drips out and is caught in collecting cups.

When a natural resource is tapped, there are usually people stepping in for the best interest of the resource. Whether that resource involves chopping down the rain forests or damming the rivers for electrical uses there are usually people on the side of protecting the environment, which is great in terms of preserving the natural beauty of our planet.

However, there are some natural renewable resources that can be harvested without harming or damaging the source itself. For example when natural rubber is harvested from the rubber (hevea brasiliensis) trees, the trees are not damaged. Harvesting rubber from a rubber tree is done in a plantation.

Plantations usually consist of thousands of rubber trees. They can be harvested for years and never once feel a negative effect. Most mature rubber trees on plantations however are usually retired after 35 years and new ones are planted. Not only are these trees not being harmed in their natural habitat but they are being replenished as they are used.

The rubber tree can live and thrive for decades before being chopped down to be used for rubber wood furniture and many other products that need the organic materials. Rubber trees will generally seep the latex milk from its bark, so if it was not harvested this would be a complete waste of such an amazing, non-toxic, natural, renewable resource.

The rubber can be used for everything from gloves, balloons to infant toys, with no hazardous warnings needed. The best characteristic of using the Hevea tree resource; everything that the rubber is used in has a high level of being biodegradable and in products like infant toys does not contain any toxins.  The Hevea tree provided great services many years ago and it is being brought back into the spotlight since there has been no replacement or alternative that offers the advantages of the original.

Related: Natural Rubber Teethers / Sensory Toys / Eco Bath Toys