Toy safety management and health risks from chemicals

Abstract

In recent years, there have been concerns regarding an increase in allergic diseases among children and the effects of chemical substances on the stages of development, and the possibility of exposure to chemical substances through familiar daily necessities and the environment has been pointed out [1]. Children come into contact with toys containing various chemical substances such as paints and plasticizers very frequently in their daily lives. In particular, plasticizers such as phthalates, which have been pointed out to be harmful to the reproductive functions and fertility of adults, and to have reproductive toxicity such as developmental toxicity for offspring [2], are subject to the standards of the Food Sanitation Law. Safety control measures have been taken, such as the use of concentration limits in toy products in Japan. However, along with the changing times, the types of toys have diversified, and there is a tendency towards an increase due to the distribution of imported goods from overseas and recycled products in the market. Furthermore, in recent years, new products such as tablet devices have become popular among people in a wide range of generations, as familiar daily necessities.

On the other hand, based on the results of research on exposure assessments of chemical substances using biological samples, a relatively large number of regulated substances are actually detected as metabolites in products, and new substances with similar structures can be used as substitutes for regulated substances. It has been suggested that the use of such chemicals is increasing. Therefore, in order to maintain a safe life, it can be said that safety management of chemical substances that corresponds to the changing times is necessary.