The Shrilling Chicken is a popular squeaky toy, it gives out a chicken-like sound which makes it fun and entertaining to children. Unfortunately, the toy contains undisclosed plastic additives that may put kids at risk from exposure to health-damaging chemicals.
Plasticizers are the most used chemical additive in toys. It is used as a softener, stabilizer, colorant; it improves elasticity, and durability. Phthalates are chemical compounds used primarily to enhance the flexibility and durability of plastics like plasticized Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC).
The most common phthalates used in plastic toys production are di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diethyl phthalate (DEP).
The Department of Health issued Administrative Order No. 2009-005-A (DAO No. 2009-005-A) states that “it shall be unlawful for any person to manufacture for sale, offer for sale, distribute in commerce, or import into the country any children’s toy that contains concentrations of more than 0.1 percent of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).”
Likewise, the Food and Drug Administration issued an advisory against the purchase and use of unnotified “Shrilling Chicken” which was found to contain 8.4 percent of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and 0.5 percent diisononyl phthalate (DINP) under FDA Advisory 2020-042. Health risks from the exposure to Phthalates include but are not limited to endocrine disruption and reproductive development effects.
“We appeal to consumers to be vigilant in buying toys and always check the labels. Harmless-like toys may expose children to toxic chemical additives such as EDCs that have serious health and environmental risks,” said Thony Dizon, Toxics Campaigner, BAN Toxics.