Injuries from plastic poisoning occur when a person is exposed to, swallows, or ingests a hazardous amount of plastic compounds. Some polymers contain hazardous compounds that can cause a variety of injuries.
Symptoms of plastic poisoning include:
- Throat burning and breathing difficulties
- Vomiting and nausea
- Low blood pressure, which might result in collapse
- Rapid breathing or a rapid heart rate
- Various aches and pains
Plastic poisoning can cause serious injury and even death in extreme circumstances. This is especially true regarding newly created plastic or exposure to the plastic-making process.
Plastic poisoning is a common type of pediatric poisoning in which babies or children are damaged by ingesting or being exposed to plastic toys, bottles, or other products. Plastic poisoning is another major issue with food packaging materials.
Who is Liable for Plastic Poisoning Injuries?
Plastic poisoning injuries can be blamed on a variety of parties. Manufacturers may be held accountable in many circumstances for injuries caused by defective plastic items. A common example is when a child’s toy is made from materials that do not exceed health and safety regulations. A product defect legal theory could hold the manufacturer accountable in this case.
Another prevalent problem with plastic items is a failure to educate consumers about the dangers of plastic products, components, resins, or liquids. One example is when a producer fails to include adequate warning labels or information about the product.
Are Plastic Toys Dangerous?
If you need a Ph.D. in chemistry to determine what’s in a product intended for newborns and small children, chances are your child shouldn’t be playing with, chewing on, eating, or drinking from it.
While many natural parents in the United States believe it is time for the United States to catch up with Europe and other industrialized nations in terms of product safety, most parents are left asking what was wrong with plastic toys in the first place.
Plastic toys are dangerous for children and babies because of a mix of a few chemicals, most of which are contained in PVC plastics. And some of the hazards stem from how the toys are handled and whether they end up in a child’s mouth.
PVC is the most harmful plastic due to the additives put into it. PVC is used in almost every soft plastic toy. Worse, it can be found in infant goods such as teething rings, bath toys, and squeeze toys.
One of the most dangerous impacts of plastic toys and the greatest safety risk associated with these poisons is that they can leach out, particularly when newborns or children put the toys in their mouths.
Harmful PVC additives include the following::
- Phthalates: Phthalates (pronounced thay-lates) are chemicals that give a plastic toy its soft, squishy feel. Endocrine disruptors are the gender-bending culprits you’ve heard of. Phthalates not only disrupt the body’s hormonal equilibrium, but they’ve also been linked to cancer growth.
- Cadmium: Cadmium serves as a plastic stabilizer. Cadmium, a recognized carcinogen, also interferes with normal brain development and can harm the kidneys.
- Lead: Lead is used to increase the durability of plastic toys. Lead has been related to hearing loss, ADHD, and lower IQ because it affects the nervous system. It’s also a problem because youngsters absorb and retain lead more easily than adults.
- BPA: BPA (Bisphenol A) is found in plastic toys, sippy cups, plastic bottles, and the lining of canned foods. Because it is deemed more dangerous when a youngster chews on it, the main worry with BPA has been on food and beverage goods. However, plastic toys should be avoided throughout this stage if your child is prone to chewing on toys (and what infant isn’t?).
Since 2007, when lead toys were recalled, safety standards have increased. While knowing that items made for newborns and children are controlled would make our life easier, it is still up to the parent to keep an eye on what enters their homes and toy boxes.
Following a lawsuit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Environmental Justice Health Alliance, and Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, the Consumer Product Safety Commission voted in October 2017 to ban five more dangerous phthalate compounds from plastic used in children’s toys.
So, what can you do to ensure your child’s toys are safe besides purchasing all wooden toys?
- Allow your baby to chew or teethe only on natural, untreated wood or a chilled towel.
- Sign up to get Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notifications (CPSC). You’ll find the most up-to-date information on which toys have been recalled and why.
- Contact the manufacturers of your child’s favorite toys to see if they meet (or exceed) current toy safety guidelines.
- When plastic toys are your sole option, choose PVC- and BPA-free toys for your children and for every present you purchase.
- Speak with other parents. Bringing up the subject of toy safety at a birthday party might sometimes help you realize you’re not alone in pondering what’s best for your child. You might also be able to educate another parent, resulting in a healthier family in the long term.
Toys Made of Polypropylene
Polypropylene is one of the safest plastics for toys. Polypropylene is heat-resistant and will not leach even when exposed to warm or hot water. It is also suitable for food and beverage storage.
When inspecting toy labels, you’ll notice that the plastics used in manufacturing are rarely specified. You can contact the manufacturer to confirm the plastic makeup of your favorite toys that you are unwilling to part with.
A Word About LEGOs
Learning that LEGOs do not contain PVC or phthalates and generally meet safety regulations was a huge relief. In other excellent news, LEGO is making the switch to plant-based bricks.
Before sharing your childhood LEGOs with your children, check if they were created after 1981. According to LEGO historian Gary Istok, by the 1980s, all LEGO bricks were cadmium-free. According to Roar Rude Trangbaek, a spokesperson for LEGO, the corporation “phased that material out back in 1979 to 1981” regarding hazardous materials.
Safe Alternatives to Plastic Toys
If your research still leaves you uneasy, you may decide to avoid plastic (and plastic-like) toys entirely. Wooden toys, natural art supplies, play silks, wooden puzzles, or silicone toys are all options (especially for a teething baby).
Ten Tips for Safer Plastic Use:
- Avoid using recycling codes #3, #6, and #7 to avoid plastics. (Unless the #7 plastic is also BPA-free).
- Purchase BPA-free baby bottles and sippy cups, as well as glass alternatives.
- Never heat or microwave food or beverages in plastic containers due to harmful leaching. Chemicals may leach from the plastic into food or fluids. Instead of using plastic wrap, use a paper towel.
- Plastic infant bottles should never be heated.
- Use PVC-free plastic wrap.
- Consume fresh produce as much as possible.
- For newborns, only purchase “fresh” plastic toys.
- Purchase phthalate-free cosmetics.
- Inquire with your dentist about BPA-free sealants and composite fillings.
- Throw away any damaged or scratched plastic food containers.
What are the Legal Remedies in a Case of Plastic Poisoning?
Cases of plastic poisoning may necessitate legal action. In such cases, the legal remedy will almost always be monetary damages. The damages may cover medical costs, hospital fees, scarring or disfigurement, pain and suffering, and other losses.
A recall or class action lawsuit may result when numerous people are put at risk by the same type of plastic product.
Do I Need a Lawyer to Represent Me in a Plastic Poisoning Lawsuit?
Plastic poisoning claims can be complicated and may necessitate the assistance of a lawyer. If you need assistance with a case, it may be in your best interests to employ a class action lawyer in your region. Your lawyer can help you with legal representation and guidance regarding your claim.
