The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) conducted a study, which found Soft plastic toys available in the country which are made in China or Taiwan contained harmful chemicals that can cause reproductive disorders, lung problems and asthma in children.

The study found a chemical called phthalates in the manufactured toys. Phthalates is used for making the plastic soft and is already banned in the US and European Union.

Mr. Chandra Bhushan, associate director of CSE said, “Shockingly, there is no regulation to control or monitor the use of these toxins in our country. India just has a set of voluntary standards, covering safety aspects of toys. The government has banned the import of toys which don’t meet these standards, but what will happen when this ban ends on January 23?”

The study involved 24 randomly picked toys. Fourteen of the toys were made in china while two were from Taiwan. All of the toys made in Taiwan and 57% of those made in china contained above limit Phthalates while 14% of India made products too crossed the line.

Experts warn that even the ‘toxic free’ labels cannot be trusted as a soft toy from Funskool India, which was made for children between the ago of 3 and 18 months contained 162 times more phthalate than allowed.

In a more alarming situation, 29% of the toys that children generally put in their mouths were found to be unsafe to be touched even by adults. Experts say that the reason behind this situation is that the rules from the government in the industry are voluntary and does not cover phthalates. Even as the import of such toys is banned, Indian toy makers are not required mandatory to adhere to such standards.