Toxins in Baby Toys

Okay we'll admit it, we are five college students who aren't planning on having kids for awhile but we still have our individual opinions on the toxic chemicals present in baby toys.  Some of us think that the level of chemicals in the toys is something that should be more of a concern, while others think its regulated enough already.

Those of us in favor of more regulation believe that even if these toxins aren't causing life threatening illnesses they can still manifest themselves as allergies or not feeling as good as you should.  Just because babies aren't dying from the toys that don't get recalled, doesn't mean there's not something wrong with them.  If a baby has the potential to live a full, long, healthy life and play with fun, non-toxic toys--then they should!

The rest of us think that while heavy levels of toxins in toys are a concern, producers already remove these play things from the market with recalls.  Even if all toys were regulated, and completely toxin free, in the world we live in babies will still encounter overwhelming amounts of toxins everyday.  Imagine your baby food processor that you use to make your child delicious, organic meals--chemicals from the machine can be mixed in with what you're consuming.  Children have been exposed to minimal amounts of these toxins that are now all over our communities, and have still been living enjoyable, full lives. We are examples of this.  When our generation was growing up, our products were not regulated nearly as much they are now.  We all turned out just fine, we all grew into 5 healthy kids who were smart enough to make it to a prestigious private university.

Think about it--baby or no baby--where do you stand?





a post by Chloe Bacon, Monica Chatterjee, Lindsey Bertolacci, Stephanie Moser, and Shane Hereford (Santa Clara University Students)