Soft Vinyl Baby Toys Pose Health Risk

Baby may have less to chew on since Health Canada (Sante Canada) on November 16, 1998 issued an advisory to parents and caregivers of very young children about soft vinyl (PVC) products designed to be chewed or sucked and recommended that they get rid of soft vinyl teethers and rattles.

The health risk in soft vinyl lies in a substance called di- isononyl phthalate (DINP) that makes soft vinyl soft.

Laboratory tests on animals indicate that intense DINP exposure can cause damage to the kidneys and liver. These risks apply to young babies weighing less than 8 kilograms (17-18 pounds) and who might have "high oral contact" (three hours or more a day) with soft vinyl products.

Health Canada further advises parents and caregivers to watch their children's use of other small, soft vinyl toys that are often placed in cribs or playpens and remove these products if they observe that their children chew or suck on them three hours or more a day. And for pet owners who have concern about their pet using soft vinyl products, Health Canada states "you should remove the products from your pet's environment and dispose of them."

Pacifiers and feeding bottle nipples were not included in the advisory. Health Canada found that none of the pacifiers and feeding bottle nipples tested contained DINP.

Aside from Canada, some countries in Europe have also announced their intentions to restrict the use of DINP in these products. No action has been taken to date in the U.S.

Since soft vinyl products containing DINP cannot be distinguished from other soft plastics by their appearance, touch or smell, a good rule to follow is, "If in doubt, throw it out."