Ban Toxics unveils timely study public health, environmental risks of toxic plastic toys

WITH the holidays approaching, BAN Toxics unveils a timely study highlighting the public health and environmental risks of toxic plastic toys. This release also coincides with the Philippine government delegation and international leaders convening in Korea for the Global Plastics Treaty to address plastic pollution. 

“Children in the Philippines and Bangladesh face significant health risks from toxic chemicals in toys. Hazardous heavy metal additives and chemicals associated with recycled plastics are found in children’s toys sold in the Philippines and Bangladesh,” according to the study released by BAN Toxics and the Environmental and Social Development Organization (ESDO) based in Bangladesh.

“The study titled Not suitable for children: toxic chemicals in plastic toys sold in Bangladesh and the Philippines found that a significant number of the 257 plastic toys sampled from bargain stores in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Metro Manila, Philippines, contained hazardous chemicals, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, with traces of bromine and chlorine. Using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) screening, 161 toys – 62.64% of the total– showed chemical levels exceeding safety standards in both countries, posing serious health risks to children and their families who come into contact with them,” said Winona Garcia, member of BAN Toxics’ Policy Development and Research and co-author of the study, in a press briefing and public launch of the study in Quezon City. 

According to Garcia, bromine and chlorine were detected in more toy samples from the Philippines than toxic heavy metals. Bromine was detected in 61 toys at levels ranging from 4 ppm to 1,300 ppm, while chlorine was found in 74 samples, with 55 toys having concentrations exceeding 10%. The production or burning of products containing bromine and chlorine has been known to result in the formation of toxic by-products, such as brominated dioxins and furans (PBDD/Fs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDs), all of which are persistent organic pollutants.

“The recorded levels of toxic heavy metals exceeded safety standards, including arsenic (5 ppm to 247 ppm), cadmium (20 ppm to over 100,000 ppm), lead (11 ppm to 4,600 ppm), and mercury (16 ppm to 4,600 ppm). These high levels could classify these toys as hazardous waste under DENR Administrative Order No. 2013-22 (Revised Procedures and Standards for the Management of Hazardous Wastes), as the detected concentration levels far exceed regulatory limits,” Garcia added.

The chemicals found in the sampled toys are linked to a range of health and environmental risks. Arsenic is associated with cancer (lung, bladder, skin), diabetes, hypertension, and neurodevelopmental damage. Cadmium can cause lung cancer, obstructive pulmonary disease, neurodevelopmental issues, and reduced bone mineral density. Lead is linked to occupational cancers, intellectual disability, neurological problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney damage, and infertility. Mercury can cause neurocognitive and behavioral disturbances, renal damage, peripheral neurotoxicity, and cardiovascular issues.

“The presence of non-compliant toys in both markets—failing to meet basic regulatory requirements such as proper ingredient labeling, warnings labels, age-grade information, and country-of-origin details—highlights gaps in regulations. In the Philippines, 27 out of the 107 toys sampled did not include any labeling information, while all the toys have incomplete labeling, despite existing law (Toy and Game Safety Labeling Act),”  

“These regulatory issues demand immediate attention, as another finding of the study highlights the transboundary nature of the hazardous toy trade,” according to Garcia. Most toys purchased in both countries originate from China, the world’s largest toy manufacturer, which has established mandatory national standards for specific chemical provisions in toys, along with measures for the inspection, supervision, and regulation of imports and exports. 

“Children in the Philippines and Bangladesh are likely exposed to the same hazardous toy products,” Garcia warned. The group cited the Shrilling Chicken squeaky toy, available in both markets, which has been flagged by the EU Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Non-Food Products due to excessive concentrations of Di(2- ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a common plastic additive already banned in several countries. The toy was also banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2020 and October 2024, for lack of valid Certificate of Product Notification, yet remains widely available in bargain shops elsewhere.

Based on data from the United Nations Comtrade database, China reported $992,943,870 worth of toy exports to the Philippines in 2023, while the Philippines reported only $260,553,034 in imports from China for the same year. This discrepancy in trade statistics warrants further investigation to better understand the hazardous toy trade and inform potential policy recommendations, especially cross-border enforcement, at the sub-regional or regional level, according to the group.

“The study likewise reveals how the toy market disproportionately affects low-income communities. With toys priced between Php 55 (USD 1) and PhP 192.50 (USD 3.50), these low-cost plastic products often bypass safety standards, putting households in poorer communities—already facing limited access to healthcare and social services—at greater risk of exposure to toxic chemicals,” said Thony Dizon in the press briefing, campaigner and advocacy officer of BAN Toxics. He expressed grave concern as these popular and inexpensive hazardous toys are more likely to be purchased as gifts during the holiday season.

Dizon highlighted the following recommendations in the study to address the gaps in regulations on toy safety and chemicals in plastics:

• National toy safety standards should align with international guidelines, incorporating stricter regulations on toxicity and improving enforcement to protect children from chemical risks. National regulations should be updated to reflect the latest international standards, with a focus on restricting chemicals known or suspected to have carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reprotoxic effects. This should include substances beyond the common eight migratable elements and six ortho-phthalates, specifying clear requirements for these chemicals. 
  
  
• Transparency and traceability measures, such as harmonized labeling of chemicals used in toy production, are essential for improving monitoring and control. The study also recommends further investigation into the transboundary hazardous toy trade to inform policies addressing this issue at the regional or international level. Stricter enforcement of these regulations will enhance coordination and strengthen countries’ efforts to regulate harmful toys.
• Enhancing the enforcement of legal requirements—particularly for imported toys—requires a review and strengthening of regulatory agencies. Additional measures should be imposed on manufacturers, importers, and distributors to prevent hazardous toys from entering the market and to swiftly address risks once products are available. Regulatory bodies must be equipped to closely monitor trade, identify potential hazards, and remove unsafe toys when risks are detected. Furthermore, the draft Order revising the Rules and Regulations Governing the Issuance of Authorization for Toys and Childcare Articles provides an opportunity for the country to thoroughly update its policies and regulations.

“With the final round of talks of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee-5 in Korea for a Global Plastics Treaty, we reiterate our call for the Philippine delegation to take a critical step in protecting human health and the environment from plastic pollution. Existing evidence calls for ambitious, genuine pro-people actions that take into account the interests and rights of the people and future generations of Filipinos in addressing the urgent issue of plastic pollution,” Dizon added. BAN Toxics is participating as an observer in the INC-5 negotiations in Korea. 

“The report has shed light on many hidden dangers that families face. Together, we must work to raise awareness and advocate for stronger, safer standards to ensure children grow up in a healthier and safer environment,” said Siddika Sultana, Executive Director of ESDO, in a video message. The study is part of a series of activities between BAN Toxics and ESDO to ensure safety of children’s products.