Massachusetts Personal Injury Library

The Truth About BPAs in Toys and BPA in Water Bottles

What chemicals and additives are found in dangerous toys?

The most problematic toxins in toys and child-care products are compounds that are added to plastics to make them more pliable. While this allows manufacturers great creativity in shaping toys, some additives are toxic. Lead, phthalates and Bisphenol A are all used to create types of plastic or to act on plastic as a softener. All are known to cause health disorders in certain concentrations, with serious consequences for the development of children who ingest or absorb them.

While the federal government is planning to instigate a ban over the next few years, some defective toys with high amounts of phthalates or lead may still linger on the shelves. Get toy recall resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

What is Bisphenol A?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is both an ingredient in polycarbonate plastic and an additive to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. You may recognize its helpful properties in items you regularly use like baby and water bottles, CDs and DVDs, optical lenses and the linings of soft-drink cans.

Recent health studies have linked BPA with a higher incidence of diabetes and heart and liver abnormalities. Babies who are fed from polycarbonate bottles are at the greatest risk, but children are also exposed to BPA in a number of other products. Thanks to a push by consumers, products liability attorneys and retailers, the federal government is weighing the health data on BPA. While many drinking containers have already been removed from store shelves, a ban by states would take several years to effect.

If you’re concerned about BPA, contact a Boston products liability lawyer or visit the consumer-rights organization Healthy Toys.