08 Apr 2008

Dangerous Toys?

Whoever said toys were child’s play?

Surely no one can have escaped the last year’s dangerous toy crisis. Every other day some such toy was being recalled for lead paint or for chewing someone’s fingers off or some such hazard. Well, it seems the adult industry is the latest to be talking about dangerous toys – but this time of the sex variety!

Many adult toys, both those used by men and women, are made from plastic. Surely nothing untoward about that, you might think – as indeed I did until I heard about the current controversy over Phthalates. Phthalates are not, as much as they might sound like it, some kind of Greek philosopher. They are in fact plastic softeners which are used in jelly-like toys such as some dildos, butt plugs and vibrators, amongst other gems of the sex toy market.

Unfortunately there’s research linking them to all kinds of health problems in animals – from hormonal and reproductive issues to tumors, to problems with kidneys and the liver. Yikes!

There’s no real evidence about their effect on humans as yet, but what we do know is that Phthalates can leech out of jelly-like sex toys over time. Ever dug out an old toy and found it had been ‘sweating’ quietly since its last use? Me too. And now we know what that ‘sweat’ is. Eugh!

The good news is that the industry is shaping up and some individuals are raising awareness of what toys are safe. If you want to make sure you stay well clear of these infernal Phthalates but still love soft toys of the adult variety then make sure you stick to 100% platinum silicone or tin silicone, while hard toys should be fine.

Who’d have thought the world of toys could be such a complicated place? Brings a whole new meaning to ‘Tickle-Me Elmo’, that’s for sure!

Posted by Miranda 12:00:00