We seem to have conveniently forgotten that our kids are the greatest assets of our nation. Our prime concern is to protect the children from anything prejudicial to their health. But what is being done to our children is utterly mindless.
Children by nature are fond of toys as they find them tools for unalloyed delight. Instead of buying them innocuous toys, we are giving them dangerous nay murderous, toys for their enjoyment without our knowledge.
And to make matters vastly worse, the unscrupulous and crooked businessmen are selling openly the deadly dolls and toys exposing children to poisonous substances.
According to media, in absence of adequate quality control and regulation in the country, excessive levels of toxic chemicals like Cadmium, bromine, chromium, arsenic and other harmful substances are being used indiscriminately in the production of toys and children’s products. These chemicals are damaging children’s physical health affecting their kidney and impairing their latent faculties, particularly in those under six. However, it is learnt that finally the problem has drawn the attention of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and the Department of Environment and in response they promised quick action against this hazard. The plaudit goes to the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) for identifying the presence of the toxic chemicals in children’s toys. This organization published data showing that 80 pc of children’s toys contain hazardous substances.
What a frightening revelation it is for all of us and our children as well when we come to know that one or more harmful chemicals, including mercury, lead, bromine, cadmium, arsenic and other hazardous substances like heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were found in all 150 tested samples of toys collected from renowned shopping malls in the city!
According to media, in absence of
adequate quality control and
regulation in the country,
excessive levels of toxic chemicals
like Cadmium, bromine, chromium,
arsenic and other harmful substances
are being used indiscriminately in the
production of toys and children’s products
We are appallingly alarmed by the findings which tell us about the deleterious effect of gravest nature on the physical and mental growth of our children. However, we don’t want to see a toy – a thing of joy for our kids—to turn a dreadful health risk.
To detect the toxic chemicals in toys is an uphill task done by ESDO for which it deserves accolade from all quarters.
In fact, ESDO is doing a yeoman’s service to the cause of finding the invisible poison in essential commodities. Earlier, they found the ubiquitous spread of PFAS in apparel and cosmetics. We are utterly startled when the ESDO study revealed that a children’s water cup is found to contain arsenic and chromium and stationery bag commonly used by children contains lead, barium and mercury, turning those into hidden health hazards. Exposure to heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium poses serious health risks to children. These substances can affect respiratory function, kidney health, bone density and cause neurological damage, skin irritation, cancer and what not. Besides, the use of recycled plastic in toys is alarming, because it introduces harmful chemicals and heavy metals into products that children are exposed to. The presence of hazardous chemicals in children’s products and toys is an urgent public health issue.
Experts are of the opinion that toxic chemicals like lead, arsenic and cadmium in toys pose serious risks to children’s vital organs, including brain, kidney and lungs causing even cancer, especially when toys are put in children’s mouth.
Since there is currently lack of policies for the production and import of toys, the authorities concerned must take swift action to protect our future generation from these invisible threats. Even the Department of Environment expressed alarm over the use of harmful substances in children’s toys. They issue clearance to toy manufacturing factories based on air quality and chemical removal, but they do not monitor the chemicals used in toy production, according to a report published in a national Daily recently.
Furthermore, reports have it that the BSTI is currently working on the quality testing of 299 products, but toys are not yet included in their list. However, they have started working on this, according to the report. They should formulate policies for toy production and import according to international standards. Agencies concerned must ensure that adequate product standards are in place, and the enforcement of such policies must get priority to give our children a toxic-free future. In the meanwhile, it must be ensured that unsafe toys and children’s products are removed from our markets soon.We want a double quick action in this regard.
