Squeezing toys are so fun, choose carefully with Vanta

Squeezing toys are not only loved by children, but also a way to release stress for today's high-pressure professionals. But the arsenic content in some squeeze toys is also worrying. Children usually repeatedly squeeze and release these toys for self entertainment, and the beautiful appearance and enticing smell of these toys may attract young children to put them in their mouths, and their physical contact with these toys will reach a considerable level.

Can squeeze toys in children's hands be toxic?

We all know that many high levels of chemicals can harm human health, and there may even be some known carcinogens. In 2018, the Danish government completely banned the sale of squeeze toys.

Using Vanta XRF analyzer to detect these toys, within 15 seconds to 30 seconds, the analyzer can determine the chemical composition of these toys and detect certain trace metals.

The detection results of three toy samples (see the three lists below) indicate the presence of trace amounts of bromine (Br) or chromium (Cr) in the toys. However, what is more concerning is the content of arsenic (As). The voluntary toy safety standards ASTM F973-07 and European toy standard EN 71 in the United States stipulate that the maximum allowable arsenic content (transferred from toys) is 25 ppm. One of the squeeze toys we tested contained 76 ppm arsenic, the second contained 70 ppm arsenic, and the third contained 67 ppm arsenic.

Testing toys to ensure their safety

According to relevant regulations in the United States, toys need to be tested and certified in accordance with the law before being sold, and XRF testing is one of the approved toy testing methods. The results of toy testing must comply with the toy safety standards established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These standards specify the amount of heavy metals, including arsenic, in the surface coating and substrate of toys.