High levels of Lead, Cadmium found in Indian soft toys: study

New Delhi, Sep 6 (UNI) Dangerous levels of lead and cadmium have been found in PVC and soft toys being sold in Indian markets, according to a study conducted by an environmental non-governmental organisation.

This indicates that children are being exposed to severe health hazards caused by these metals ranging from liver damage to disruption in mental growth.

The study by Toxics Link, a Delhi-based NGO, said alarming levels of lead and cadmium were found in PVC soft toys in Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai.

It is estimated that the industry volume is 1.5 billion dollars in the unorganised sector. Soft toys, mostly made of PVC, account for 35 per cent of India's total production of toys.

There are no legal and binding standards that stipulate the safe limits of the heavy metal contents in toys (plastic or otherwise), locally manufactured or imported.

The issue of safety is left largely up to the manufacturers discretion and judgment, the study said, since the BIS compliance codes were only voluntary.

Lead and cadmium are proven poisons, being neurotoxins and nephrotoxins, respectively. Neurotoxins are agents that can cause toxic effects on the nervous system while nephrotoxins are agents that can cause toxic effects on the kidney. Even the tiniest amounts can have long-term and measurable effects on children, while at the same time displaying no distinctive symptoms.

Lead being a cumulative in nature and is absorbed into the blood stream, some of it is filtered out and excreted, but the rest is distributed in the liver, brain, kidneys and bones, said Mr Ravi Agarwal, Director Toxics Link.

''Since a large number of toys, mostly made of PVC, are imported into India, cheaply, or are made in the informal sector, with little or no quality control, it was important and appropriate to examine the issue of lead and cadmium in toys. It is common to see small children and infants chew and play with soft plastic toys, which are the subject of this investigation,'' said Mr Agarwal.

All toy samples contained varying concentration of lead and cadmium.

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