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New Health Scare Over Scented Toys

Allergy-provoking chemicals in scented toys could be putting children's health at risk, US scientists are warning.

In research published in the Journal of Chromatography in April, chemist Ian Musack and his colleagues pointed out that while the use of fragrances in toys is limited in the European Union, no such restriction exists in the US.

"The emission of fragrance allergens from scented toys depends on the temperature and on the content of fragrance allergens present," Mr Musack said, adding that warmer temperatures increase the emissions of and exposure to chemical fragrances

Lourdes Salvador of anti-chemical campaign Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) America said: “Scent is a completely unnecessary addition to toys.

“It has nothing to do with the function of a toy and everything to do with branding at the expense of our children's health.”

MCS America advises parents not to purchase scented toys for their children, although they also advise all people to minimise the use of any fragrances or perfumes.

The group makes the following claims about fragrances:

• Some 3,000 – 5,000 chemicals are used in to produce fragrances, 95 per cent of which are derived from petroleum.
• Over 80 per cent of the chemicals in fragrance have not been tested for human toxicity, but some are listed on the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hazardous waste list.
• The US perfume industry is not subject to government regulation and does not have to disclose any of the ingredients in fragrances.
• The US National Academy of Sciences includes fragrances among six categories of chemicals that it says should be tested as possible nerve poisons.

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