Toys and other products made from recycled plastic for children contain toxic substances, including heavy metals, revealed a study on Thursday.
All 160 samples tested contained one or more hazardous chemicals, including mercury, lead, bromine, cadmium, arsenic, and other harmful substances and persistent organic pollutants, said a press release.
Environment and Social Development Organisation in cooperation with the BAN Toxics, Philippines conducted the study between August 1 and September 30 collecting samples from different markets.
A children鈥檚 water cup, an everyday essential, contained 1,380 ppm of lead, 247 ppm of arsenic, and 1,390 ppm of chromium, while stationary bag, commonly used by children, revealed 580 ppm of lead, a staggering 1,280 ppm of barium, and 88 ppm of mercury. A kid鈥檚 doll set tested with 160 ppm of lead and a shocking 1,500 ppm of chromium, said the report.
Researchers said that the toys and goods were either imported or locally produced.
Bangladesh does not allow any heavy metal in children鈥檚 products though it does not have any standard or policy as yet.
鈥楾he presence of such hazardous chemicals in children鈥檚 products is an urgent public health issue. We must act swiftly to protect our future generation from these invisible threats,鈥� said Syed Marghub Murshed, former secretary and chairperson of ESDO.
ESDO secretary general Shahriar Hossain called for strict legislation to control the use of recycled plastics in toys.
Executive director of ESDO Siddika Sultana said that toys were important for mental growth of a child and it would be hazardous to ban these toys.
The toys should be made safe for children, he added.
BAN Toxics deputy executive director Jashaf Shamir Lorenzo and Thony Dizon, among others, spoke at the report launching event held in the capital鈥檚 Mohammadpur.
