Not So Squeaky Clean: A Study of Phthalates in Toys
Not So Squeaky Clean:
A Study of Phthalates in Toys
released 2/12/08 
The "Not So Squeaky Clean"
report by the Washington Toxics Coalition for the Toxic-Free Legacy
Coalition contains results from testing done on twenty toys commonly
available at retailers including Fred Meyer, Toys “R” Us, Target,
Kmart, Wal-Mart, Rite Aid, Bartell’s, and dollar stores.
Toys were screened for the presence of PVC using an XRF analyzer and then submitted for laboratory testing by STAT Analysis of Chicago to determine the presence and levels of 17 phthalates using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy.
All toys tested could be used by young children, including those under age three.
Key findings
- Nearly half of the toys tested contained phthalates.
- Most of the toys testing positive for phthalates had high levels of the chemicals, including a rubber ducky from Fred Meyer, a green ball purchased at Toys “R” Us, Target-brand penguin and “Baby I’m Yours” doll, and a dinosaur figurine from Wal-Mart.
- Some manufacturers may have phased out the use of phthalates. Toys testing free of phthalates included a doll by a European manufacturer as well as popular products by toy giant Mattel including Barbie, Ariel and Dora dolls, and Winnie-the-Pooh and Elmo squeeze toys.
Download the full report (1.4 MB pdf file)
Resources
Download our Lead, Cadmium, Phthalates Fact Sheet
Learn more - Download our fact sheets
Read about Toxic Toys in the News
Learn about our Toy Testing and the Healthy Toys Database
Learn about WA residents tested for phthalates in our Pollution in People study
