Researchers in Brazil have found dangerous levels of toxic metals such as barium and lead in popular plastic toys, with many products exceeding national and European safety limits. The study, which analyzed 70 toys sold in one major city, warns that even small amounts released during mouthing may pose health risks and calls for tighter regulation and oversight.
A collaborative study by scientists from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL) has identified high levels of toxic substances in plastic children's toys sold in Brazil. According to a summary by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), the researchers analyzed 70 toys, both imported and domestically manufactured, purchased from shopping malls and popular discount stores in the city of Ribeirão Preto.
The work, described by the team as the most comprehensive Brazilian investigation to date into chemical contamination in children's products, was published in the journal Exposure and Health and supported by FAPESP. The paper is titled “Potentially Toxic Elements in Brazilian Toys: A Bioaccessibility-Based Childhood Health Risk Assessment.”
The analysis showed that most of the toys did not comply with safety standards set by Brazil's National Institute of Metrology, Quality, and Technology (INMETRO) and by the European Union. The most serious violations involved barium: 44.3% of the samples exceeded the permitted limit, with concentrations reaching up to 15 times higher than the regulatory value. Exposure to barium can cause cardiac and neurological problems, including arrhythmias and paralysis.
High levels of lead, chromium, and antimony were also found. Lead, associated with irreversible neurological damage, memory impairment, and lower IQ in children, exceeded the limit in 32.9% of samples, with some nearly four times above the allowable amount. Antimony, which can cause gastrointestinal damage, and chromium, classified as carcinogenic in certain forms, were present at irregular levels in 24.3% and 20% of the toys, respectively.
To identify and quantify contaminants, the team used inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), a technique capable of detecting trace amounts of metals and non-metals. They also employed microwave-assisted acid digestion to simulate how chemicals might be released when toys come into contact with children's saliva and gastric fluids. This approach allowed the researchers to estimate bioaccessibility — how much of a substance can be released and become available for absorption.
The tests revealed 21 elements with toxic potential in the toys: silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), barium (Ba), beryllium (Be), cadmium (Cd), cerium (Ce), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), lanthanum (La), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), rubidium (Rb), antimony (Sb), selenium (Se), thallium (Tl), uranium (U), and zinc (Zn).
Extraction rates, referring to the fraction of contaminants released under conditions simulating oral and gastric exposure, ranged from 0.11% to 7.33%, according to reports on the study. While these percentages indicate that only a small share of the total content leaches out, the authors stress that the high overall concentrations found in many toys still raise concern, particularly for children who frequently mouth objects.
The researchers selected toys aimed at children aged 0 to 12 years, many of which were sized and shaped to facilitate oral exploration, increasing the likelihood of exposure. Purchases were made in outlets frequented by families from different socioeconomic backgrounds in Ribeirão Preto to capture a range of products sold in the local market.
“This data reveals a worrying scenario of multiple contamination and lack of control. So much so that in the study we suggest stricter enforcement measures, such as regular laboratory analyses, product traceability, and more demanding certifications, especially for imported items,” said Bruno Alves Rocha, the study's lead author, in an interview with FAPESP's news agency.
The investigation also explored possible clues about how the contamination enters the production chain. Rocha noted correlations between nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which may indicate a common origin in raw materials or manufacturing processes, and reported that beige-colored toys tended to show higher metal concentrations, potentially linked to specific paints or pigments.
The same research group has previously examined other hazardous chemicals in children's products, including endocrine-disrupting substances such as bisphenols, parabens, and phthalates. Rocha argues that these new findings on toxic metals, combined with earlier work on hormone-disrupting compounds, underscore the need for more rigorous oversight of toy manufacturing and imports to better protect children's health.
