ALERT! TOXIC TOYS
HAZARD ALERT!
TOXIC TOYS ARE BEING SOLD TO YOUR CHILDREN WITHOUT YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
These toys, like the one on the right side of this page are being sold online and also in toy stores across the United States, to children three years old and older. They are mislabeled in many cases and do not advise parents of the hazards of the toxic chemicals inside of these packages.
Young children can purchase them, without parental approval, and use them without parental supervision, which is required if these products are to be used by children. Since parents are unaware of the "Adult Supervision Requirement" and the potential hazards of these chemicals these toys should be removed from stores or only sold to adults and not to children.
We have photographed just one example, the front and back of this package and will be providing information below on the chemicals in these products and the hazard warnings.
We are also putting online the agencies that can take these products off store shelves in order to protect our children and grandchildren.
ALERT! It should also be noted that many of these same chemicals are used in other products such as baby diapers and in feminine hygiene products for men and women. They are used in hospitals and convalescent homes. It is time that we take action to protect our children, men and women from using these products without understanding the hazards! We have listed these hazards under the diaper section below.
The photograph on the right is the back side of the above package. Please note that the front side only has warnings regarding choking hazards from small parts and on the bottom states "Not for Children Under 3 Years" . On the top right it states "Ages 4+".
There is a statement on the front which reads: "Adult Supervision Required" and then "Safe & Non-Toxic".
There are no instructions as to why Adult Supervision is Required except online. Since most children and parents won't visit the Internet to learn about the hazards associated with this product and since many young children can't read or may not follow directions by reading all the statements on the package...it means that this product may be improperly used.
The package on the back side states in very small print with no hazard warning:
"Not a Toy. Not Edible. Do Not Ingest"
"2010 Steve Spangler Science" And then it reads "Made in China"
The Insta-Snow Powder is Sodium Polyacrylate and this chemical carries with it a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), which states that this product is neither Safe or Non-Toxic. We have provided several MSDS Sheets below where you can read in order to find out more about this chemical and why children should not be using this product. Just click on one the MSDS pdf files below for more information.
U.S. Department of Labor MSDS OSHA Information & Requirements: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10104
MSDS Hazards: http://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/96928.htm April 1, 2008
May cause eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation. The toxicological properties of this material have not been fully investigated.
Potential Health Effects
Eye: May cause eye irritation.
Skin: May cause skin irritation. May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
Ingestion: May cause irritation of the digestive tract. May be harmful if swallowed.
Inhalation: May cause respiratory tract irritation. May be harmful if inhaled.
General Information: Use proper personal protective equipment - Provide ventilation. Do not let this chemical enter the environment. Handling: Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Do not ingest or inhale.
Personal Protective Equipment: Eyes: Wear appropriate protective eyeglasses or chemical safety goggles as described by OSHA's eye and face protection regulations in 29 CFR 1910.133 or European Standard EN166.
Skin: Wear appropriate protective gloves to prevent skin exposure. Clothing: Wear appropriate protective clothing to prevent skin exposure.
Click here for MSDS for Hazard Information:
http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/registration/manual/chapter_02.pdf
http://www.hmsmedical.com/images/44-OC%20MSDS.pdf
http://www.sciencestuff.com/msds/C2688.html
May be harmful if swallowed. May cause irritation. Avoid breathing vapors, or dusts. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothes. Wash thoroughly after handling. May be harmful if swallowed. May cause irritation. Avoid breathing vapors, or dusts. Use with adequate ventilation. Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothes. Wash thoroughly after handling.
Note that this in this September 30, 2008, Television Program with Ellen DeGeneres (click on link below), that she does not get an answer to her questions about what this product is from Steve Spangler:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiEewwjZi6o&feature=player_embedded
Complaints can be filed with your State Governor and local state or federal agencies, with your U.S. Congressman or U.S. Senators, and in letters to the Editor and by giving this information to local newspapers, television and radio stations. We Need to Protect Our Children!
ASK FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THESE PRODUCTS BEING SOLD TO CHILDREN!
Washington, D.C. Toll Free Number: (1866) 220-0044 (Your U.S. Congressman or U.S. Senator)
UNITED STATES CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION - FILE COMPLAINTS: http://www.cpsc.gov/
For More Information on Filing Complaints About These Products:
148B 2012 File A Complaint Against an Unsafe Product Visit this Website February 11, 2012.pdf
File Complaints in California With:
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Email: dca@dca.ca.gov Address: California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Division, 1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N 112, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone Number: (916) 445-1254
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California Office of the Attorney General, Public Inquiry Unit
PO Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
Phone Number: (916) 322-3360
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For More Information on Sodium Polyacrylate & Other Product Related Chemicals:
148C 2010 Toxipedia Website June 28, 2010 Polyacrylic Acid Information.pdf
https://www.beamazing.com/labsafety/safetyinformation.aspx
These chemicals can be found in baby diapers and other feminine products.
http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Diapers
Toxipedia: "...If the super-absorbent gel found in the diapers were to come into direct contact with skin, there is potential for an allergic reaction that may cause a rash, or in the worst cases, lesions..."
Toxipedia: Diaper Dye Skin Irritation: "...Certain dyes used to add color to disposable diapers have been shown to cause allergic reactions resulting in rashes. Repeated exposure to the dye can cause a long-term allergy. One study that looked at several babies who suffered from rashes found that the rashes only occurred in places where the skin was in direct contact with the dyed part of the diaper. Researchers believe that it is the continued exposure to the dyes that causes a sensitization, or allergic reaction, in babies..."
Toxipedia: Dioxin Exposure "...Diapers, both cotton and disposable, contain very small amounts of dioxins, an organic compound that can be manipulated to form other compounds, the most common of which is polychlorinated dibenzodioxins, a common environmental pollutant...Certain dioxins have been shown to be a carcinogen and to affect the reproductive and immune systems..." and have been phased out in other countries.
Toxipedia: Studies Showed that "...emissions from disposable diapers experienced impaired breathing...Three brands of disposable diapers were used, and two of the three brands were observed to cause "reduced mid-expiratory airflow velocity, sensory irritation, and pulmonary irritation ... and the effects were generally larger during repeat exposures to these emissions...Study authors concluded, "The results demonstrate that some types of disposable diapers emit mixtures of chemicals that are toxic to the respiratory tract. Disposable diapers should be considered as one of the factors that might cause or exacerbate asthmatic conditions."
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/content/experiment/diaper-secret
148C 2012 Toxipedia Diapers Section Website February 13, 2012 Chemicals+Health Impacts.pdf
148D 2010 P&G Proctor&Gamble MSDS Wipes Material Safety Data Sheet Website February 12, 2012.pdf
You may not know but there was a Lawsuit Settlement with regard to Pampers Dry Max. What you may not know is that these chemicals continue to be used in baby diapers.
148D 2011 P&G Proctor&Gamble Pampers Dry Max Litigation Court Documents Filed May 27, 2011.pdf
148D 2011 P&G Proctor&Gamble Pampers Dry Max Settlement Agreement Filed May 27, 2011.pdf
148D 2012 P&G Pampers Dry Max FAQ Website February 12, 2012.pdf
148D 2012 Pampers-Proctor&Gamble Contact Information Website February 12, 2012.pdf
These chemicals are used in Hydraulic Fracturing (Natural Gas Drilling):
Sodium Polyacrylate is also permitted to be used in non-food pesticide products and it is listed as a pesticide by the California Department of Pesticide Regulations.
California Department of Pesticide Regulation - 2010 Annual Statewide Pesticidie Use Report Indexed by Commodity lists Sodium Polyacrylate as a Pesticide in this and other Reports:
How to Make Fake Snow-Should only be used in chemistry labs where proper precautions can be taken to supervise the use of these products and where there is access to proper safety and other equipment.
148F 2012 How to make Fake Snow Website February 12, 2012 Chemistry About.com.pdf
We have listed below a number of Material Safety Data Sheets as are required by Federal Laws.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10104
148G 2002 Flinn Scientific Inc MSDS November 25, 2002 Sodium Polyacrylate Website.pdf
148G 2011 American Polymer Standards Corporation MSDS Website August 22, 2011.pdf
148G 2012 Scholar Chemistry Website MSDS Sodium_Polyacrylate_690.00 February 4, 2012.pdf
We have listed some of the household products which contain these chemicals.
Be Amazing Toys sells these toys in local stores and on the Internet to children. They do not provide an legal MSDS sheet on their website...just general chemical information which is inadequate to protect our children and the public in general.
148K 2012 BAT Toys Listing of Chemicals Used in Toys for Sale on This Website February 13, 2012.pdf
We have federal laws which protect the public from these types of toys and have recent legislation which addresses some of these issues.
148L 2008 Consumer Product Safety Legislation TEXT of Bill.pdf
Partial Listing of Sodium Polyacrylate Manufacturers
148M 2012 Alibaba.com Listing of Sodium Acrylate Manufacturers Website February 12, 2012.pdf
Steve Spangler Science Website promotes the sale of these products to Children. We understand that having children take an early interest in science is good. We also have to understand that some of the chemicals used are hazardous and should not be used without adult supervision. In many cases children don't take proper precautions not understand that these chemicals are hazardous...especially when the packages stresses that the product is "Safe and Non-Toxic". In many instances this statement is only true if used under very controlled experiments in a laboratory.
148Q 2012 Steve Advice for Supervising Adults Science%20Smarts%20InstaSnow.pdf
148Q 2012 Steve Spangler Labs Safety Hazards-Other Safely Information Website February 12, 2012.pdf
148Q 2012 Steve Spangler safety-information.pdf
148Q 2012 Steve Spangler Science Lab Instant Snow Ideas insta-sn Website February 12, 2012.pdf
148Q 2012 Steve Spangler Science Lab Instant Snow Information Website February 13, 2012.pdf
148Q 2012 Steve Spangler Science = Baby Diapers Website February 12, 2012.pdf
If you need more information on Sodium Polyacrylate or other Chemicals used in these types of products visit the pdf files below:
148S 2012 Chemquat-Chemical Products Website February 12, 2012 http_www.chemquat.pdf
148S 2012 Toxipedia Website Polyacrylic Acid February 13, 2012.pdf
148S 2012 University of Mississippi Information on Polyacrylates Website February 13, 2012.pdf
148S Acros Organics N.V. MSDS Sodium Polyacrylate Website February 12, 2012.pdf
148S LiquiBlock 44-OC MSDS Sodium Polyacrylate December 1, 2004 Website.pdf
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration Listing of Food Additives and Food Intake
148U 2011 U.S. FDA Everything Added to Food in the United States EAFUS Website November 2011.pdf
148U 2012 U.S. F.D.A. Cumulative Estimated Daily Intake Website February 13, 2012.pdf
Internet Sites Where You Can Find These Products or Those Who Manufacture Them.
148V 2012 LookChem Sodium Acrylate Manufacturers Website February 12, 2012 http_www.lookchem.pdf
Education Innovations-No Explanation of Why Nano-Sized Products may be Hazardous to your Health and the Health of Your Children
148X 2012 Educational Innovations Instant Snow Polymer Website February 12, 2012 Items for Sale.pdf
Be Amazing Toys Lists the Chemicals Used in Their Products Online but Fails to Provide legal MSDS Sheets Online or in their Package...They only use very General Chemical Information which does not always give the hazards found on MSDS Sheets as Required by Federal Laws.
Note: Some Chemicals are not as hazardous as others types of chemicals. The sale of these products should be restricted so that adults are required to purchase these products and they should be labeled clearly that Adult Supervision is Required and also give the reasons for this requirement in large bold print.
Label & Legal MSDS Requirements - U.S. Department of Labor:
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10104
148Y 2012 BAT TOYS General Chemical Information Citric Acid Website February 12, 2012 NO MSDS.pdf
148Y 2012 BAT Toys General Chemical Information Silicon Dioxide February 12, 2012 NO MSDS.pdf
Insta-Snow erupts on the Ellen Degeneres Television Show as Steve Spangler pours water into sodium polyacrylate. Note that she is never told what the chemical product is on this segment other than it is safe even when she asks Mr. Spangler several times. Also note that this product is spilled all over the counter, floor, and also on her hands and clothes. He never tells Ms. Degeneres any of the hazards of exposure to this product during this segment and also he never advises her about washing her hands with soap and water after handling this product.
Steve Spangler advertises this video on his website regarding this Television news show on Insta-Snow. It should be noted that he never advises anyone about the hazards or that adult supervision is required when children use this product. Also he never tells the them that they should wash their hands with soap and water after touching this product.
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/water-gel
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/category/instant-snow
Note that Young Children in the Following Video are exposed to sodium polyacrylate without adequate protection and parental warnings about the hazards of this chemcial.
February 12, 2012 Video Education Innovations Video on Making Fake Snow & Coloring Fake Snow - "...When water is added to this granular white powder, it instantly expands to 40 times its original volume, producing a snow-like material. Great for showing that there is No Law of Conservation of Volume! This artificial "snow" is fluffy and can be readily poured. When wet, it adheres well to boots and is very slippery. It was used in Steven Spielberg's mini-series, Band of Brothers and is becoming popular as an artificial base for skiers. It even can be used to turn white wine into snow... hmm! You can carry almost two cubic meters of snow in your briefcase; just add water! Its MSDS is the same as for sodium polyacrylate, the 'diaper' polymer!"
There are even Weather & Other Experiments - Some Use Various Types of Chemicals which may be hazardous: http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/category/weather
http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/product/geyser-car-rocket
Certain dioxins have been shown to be a carcinogen and to affect the reproductive and immune systems.
