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Office warns of health hazards in children's toys

The Rhineland-Palatinate State Investigation Office (LUA) is warning of possible health risks associated with Christmas presents for children. This year, 30 out of 163 toy samples tested were rejected, the LUA announced on Wednesday. Eight samples were found to be chemically abnormal and in 25...

A child plays in a daycare center. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de
A child plays in a daycare center. Photo.aussiedlerbote.de

Consumers - Office warns of health hazards in children's toys

The Rhineland-Palatinate State Investigation Office (LUA) is warning of possible health risks associated with Christmas presents for children. This year, 30 out of 163 toy samples tested were rejected, the LUA announced on Wednesday. Eight samples were found to be chemically abnormal and in 25 cases there was incorrect labeling.

When buying children's toys, the agency recommended that consumers leave poorly manufactured products with sharp edges or strong chemical odors at the store. The GS mark ("Tested Safety") is recommended as a trustworthy seal, while the CE mark does not guarantee independent testing.

Children under the age of three in particular tend to put toys in their mouths, whereby parts could be swallowed or inhaled, it was said. A laboratory analysis for possible toxic substances is therefore also important.

This year, banned and allergenic preservatives were found in three different samples of finger paint. In other finger paints, the office found non-approved colorants. Two toy samples made of paper and cardboard were found to contain carcinogenic or kidney-toxic substances (the chloropropanols 1,3-DCP or 3-MCPD). As there are still no legal limits for these substances, they could not be withdrawn from circulation.

Communication LUA LUA: Guide to safe children's toys

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Source: www.stern.de

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