Customer Service

 Customer Survey

LABConnect™ - Online Results & More

Press Releases at EMSL

Category Press Release
Publish Date 5/5/2015
Author Paul Cochrane
Title Parents Cautioned to be Aware of Hazardous Metals in Vintage Toys
Introduction EMSL Analytical provides lead and other heavy metal testing services for both new and vintage toys that may contain hazardous materials.

Cinnaminson, NJ, May 5th, 2015

Earlier this year, the Journal of Environmental Health published a study about hazardous metals found in some vintage toys.  The authors of the study, Gillian Zaharias Miller, PhD, of the Ecology Center and Zoe E. Harris of St. Ambrose University stated that one of the main reasons behind the research was due to the fact that the presence of heavy metals in toys was unregulated until recently.

The researchers analyzed over 100 toys from the 1970s and 1980s made of polyvinyl chloride and non-vinyl plastics using an x-ray fluorescence spectrometer.  The device quantified the hazardous metal content of each toy tested.  Lead and cadmium were reportedly found in about two thirds of the old toys and the levels often exceeded current limits on these metals.   In addition to lead and cadmium, mercury and barium were also detected in some vintage toys.

Not only can heavy metals be found in many vintage toys made of plastics, but toys with paint can also contain hazardous materials such as lead.  Lead-based paints were banned for use in products marketed to children, house paints and in dishes or cookware in the United States in 1978. Toys manufactured before this ban, or even current toys imported illegally from other countries, could pose a lead hazard to children who play with them.

“When old plastics are exposed to substances such as sunlight, air and detergents, the chemical bond between the lead or other heavy metals and the plastic can break down and form dusts that could expose children to these hazards,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc.  “Today, all children's products manufactured after August 14, 2011, must not contain more than 100 parts per million of total lead content in accessible parts.  Parents and toy retailers concerned about vintage toys or even new imported toys can have these products tested by EMSL Analytical.  EMSL offers testing for lead, cadmium, barium, mercury and other potentially toxic materials.”

EMSL recently sponsored and educational video about potential lead hazards in children’s toys that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/vnnkb4Pr1uM.

To learn more about lead or other heavy metal and environmental testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, industrial hygiene, food and materials testing services and products to government agencies, industry professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Atlanta, GA (LAB 07) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-1Baton Rouge, LA (LAB 25) - NVLAP Lab Code 200375-0Beltsville, MD (LAB 19) - NVLAP Lab Code 200293-0Boston, MA (LAB 13) - NVLAP Lab Code 101147-0Buffalo, NY (LAB 14) - NVLAP Lab Code 200056-0Carle Place, NY (LAB 06) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-10Charlotte, NC (LAB 41) - NVLAP Lab Code 200841-0Chicago, IL (LAB 26) - NVLAP Lab Code 200399-0Cinnaminson, NJ (LAB List in Description) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-0Dallas, TX (LAB 11) - NVLAP Lab Code 600111-0Denver, CO (LAB 22) - NVLAP Lab Code 200828-0EMSL Canada - Calgary, AB (LAB 65) - NVLAP Lab Code 500100-0EMSL Canada - Edmonton, AB (LAB 50) - NVLAP Lab Code 600321-0EMSL Canada - Markham, ON (LAB 66) - NVLAP Lab Code 600317-0EMSL Canada - Montreal, QC (LAB 68) - NVLAP Lab Code 201052-0EMSL Canada - Ottawa, ON (LAB 67) - NVLAP Lab Code 201040-0EMSL Canada - Toronto, ON (LAB 55) - NVLAP Lab Code 200877-0EMSL Canada - Vancouver, BC (LAB 69) - NVLAP Lab Code 201068-0Fort Lauderdale, FL (LAB 56) - NVLAP Lab Code 500085-0Houston, TX (LAB 15) - NVLAP Lab Code 102106-0Huntington Beach, CA (LAB 33) - NVLAP Lab Code 101384-0Indianapolis, IN (LAB 16) - NVLAP Lab Code 200188-0Kernersville, NC (LAB 02) - NVLAP Lab Code 102104-0Long Island City, NY (LAB 03) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-9Meriden, CT (LAB 24) - NVLAP Lab Code 200700-0Miami, FL (LAB 17) - NVLAP Lab Code 200204-0Minneapolis, MN (LAB 35) - NVLAP Lab Code 200019-0Ontario, California (San Bernadino County / Inland Empire) (LAB 71) - NVLAP Lab Code 600239-0Orlando, FL (LAB 34) - NVLAP Lab Code 101151-0Phoenix, AZ (LAB 12) - NVLAP Lab Code 200811-0Piscataway, NJ (LAB 05) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-2Plymouth Meeting, PA (LAB 18) - NVLAP Lab Code 200699-0Raleigh, NC (LAB 29) - NVLAP Lab Code 200671-0Rochester, NY (LAB 53) - NVLAP Lab Code 600183-0San Diego, CA (LAB 43) - NVLAP Lab Code 200855-0San Leandro, CA (LAB 09) - NVLAP Lab Code 101048-3Santa Clara, CA (LAB 47) - NVLAP Lab Code 600318-0Seattle, WA (LAB 51) - NVLAP Lab Code 200613-0South Pasadena, CA (LAB 32) - NVLAP Lab Code 200232-0South Portland, ME (LAB 62) - NVLAP Lab Code 500094-0St. Louis, MO (LAB 39) - NVLAP Lab Code 200742-0Tampa, FL (LAB 93) - NVLAP Lab Code 600215-0
Sorry, this function is disabled.