High level of lead in PVC toys: study
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic resin used as the basic material in plastics, among other things.
By PTI |
MUMBAI: Playing with soft PVC toys may no longer be safe as alarming levels of lead and cadmium have been found in them, says a study.
Dangerous levels of lead and cadmium were found in PVC soft toys collected from wholesale markets of Mumbai, one of the largest manufacturing and supply centres for unbranded toys, said the study by Toxic Link, an environmental NGO.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a synthetic resin used as the basic material in plastics, among other things.
"Soft toys from the wholesale markets of Mumbai reach various cities in Maharashtra and Gujarat," Kishore K Wankhade, the NGO's senior programme coordinator, told PTI.
The study indicated children are being exposed to severe health hazards caused by these metals, ranging from liver damage to disruption in mental growth, he said.
Some worrying indicators include the fact that India has no enforceable standards for lead, cadmium and other toxic metals permissible in toys. Toys, particularly soft PVC toys, have not been investigated as one of the possible sources of harmful metals, Wankhade pointed out.
It is estimated that the toy industry is worth 1.5 billion dollars in the unorganised sector and soft toys made of PVC account for 35 per cent of India's total production, he said.
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