2/14/2013
Pennsylvania References for Eco-Healthy Child Care©
Plastics and Plastic Toys
Reference Contents:
Plastics and
Plastic Toys
Description
1
PA DPW
Regulations
1
http://www.cehn.org/ehcc
http://www.cehn.org/files/Plastics_Plastic_Toys_7_12.pdf
Caring for Our 2-3
Children:
National Health
& Safety Standards (3rd Edition, 2011)
Model Child
Care Health
Policies
Eco-Healthy Child Care© explains that certain plastics are known to contain toxic chemicals which have negative impacts on human health. Children are particularly vulnerable to
these toxic chemicals since their systems and organs are still developing; their bodies are
small, so a small exposure is a big dose with big effects. Young children are also at
greater risk since they often insert plastic objects into their mouths. Baby bottles, sippy
cups, teething rings, and toys are often made with phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA).
These two toxic ingredients in plastics are of particular concern, as research increasingly
shows that these chemicals mimic or suppress hormones (e.g., estrogen and testosterone) and disrupt normal development and growth. Eco-Healthy Child Care© offers ten
tips for the safe use of plastics in programs.
3
OCDEL has launched
the PA ECE Healthy &
Green Initiative. One
of our top priorities of
this initiative is to promote and improve the
environmental health of
Pennsylvania’s early
learning programs for
the sake of children and
staff. This reference
page outlines Pennsylvania regulations and
also defines what is encouraged beyond licensing requirements related
to the topic area. For
more information about
the PA ECE Healthy &
Green Initiative, please
visit www.pakeys.org.
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Child Care Licensing Regulations
§3270.102(g) and§3280.102(g). Condition of play equipment.
Children’s toys and equipment, including furniture and rest equipment, described as hazardous by
the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission may not be used by children at the facility
and may not be on the premises at the facility. At the time of inspection, the operator shall submit to
the Department written affirmation on a form provided by the Department stating that the facility is in
compliance with this requirement.
§3290.102(f). Condition of play equipment
Children’s toys and equipment, including furniture and rest equipment, described as hazardous by
the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission may not be used by children at the facility.
§3270.103, §3280.103 and §3290.103. Small toys and objects.
Toys and objects with a diameter of less than 1 inch, objects with removable parts that have a diameter of less than 1 inch, plastic bags and Styrofoam objects may not be accessible to children who are
still placing objects in their mouths.
§3270.108, §3280.107 and §3290.107. Utensils.
(a) Eating and drinking utensils shall be free from cracks and chips.
(b) Disposable cups, plates and eating utensils may be used if discarded after each use.
(c) Styrofoam cups and plates may not be used.
§3270.166(7), §3280.166(7) and §3290.166(7). Meals for infants.
Bottled formula may not be heated in a microwave oven.
Pennsylvania Recommendations
Pennsylvania does not regulate the types of plastics purchased or used in programs.
However, Pennsylvania does require that children’s toys and equipment, including furniture and rest equipment, described as hazardous by the United States Consumer
Product Safety Commission may not be used by children at the facility and may not be
on the premises.
OCDEL recommends that programs examine the Eco-Healthy Child Care© recommendations to help assure that the plastic products that are used in programs are safer for
children. Additionally OCDEL recommends that programs review the following Caring
for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards (3rd Edition,
2011).
2/14/2013
Page 2
Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards
(3rd Edition, 2011)
Standard 5.2.9.9
Plastic Containers and Toys
The facility should use infant bottles, plastic containers,
and toys that do not contain Polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
Bisphenol A (BPA), or phthalates. When possible, caregivers/teachers should substitute materials such as
paper, ceramic, glass, and stainless steel for plastics.
RATIONALE: Plastics can contain chemicals and metals, which are used as additives and stabilizers. Some
of these additives and stabilizers can be toxic, such as
lead (e.g., toys, vinyl lunchboxes). Plastics can release
chemicals into food and drink; some types of plastics
are more likely to do so than others (polycarbonate,
PVC, polystyrene). Effects are not fully studied or understood, but in animal studies, some plastics have
been tied to a wide range of negative health effects
including endocrine (hormone) disruption and cancer
(1,11). PVC, also known as vinyl, is one of the most
commonly used types of plastics today. PVC is present
in many things used daily, from water bottles and containers, to wallpaper, wall paneling, credit cards, and
children’s toys. Some of the substances added to PVC
are among the hormone-disrupting chemicals that may
pose hazards to human health and child development.
PVC products, including certain toys, may have chemicals such as lead, cadmium, and phthalates, which can
flake, leach, or off-gas, causing the release of these
chemicals into the surroundings (2). Phthalates is a
class of chemicals used to make plastics flexible
(3,4,11). Phthalates are used in many products: vinyl
flooring, plastic clothing (e.g., raincoats), detergents,
adhesives, personal-care products (fragrances, nail
polish, soap), and is commonly found in vinyl (PVC)
plastic products (toys, plastic bags) (13). In a national
study, some phthalates have been found in 97% (5) of
the people tested with generally higher concentrations
found in children (6). In animal studies, health effects
range from developmental and reproductive toxicity to
damage to the liver (7,8). Bisphenol A (BPA) is used
when making polycarbonate and other plastic products.
BPA is widely used in consumer products (infant bottles, protective coating in food cans, toys, containers,
and personal care products) (13). It can leach from
these products and potentially cause harm to those in
contact with them. It can also have estrogen (female
hormone)-like effects, which may impact biological systems at very low doses. Children may be exposed via:
ingestion (diet and sucking/mouthing plastics), inhalation (of dust), and dermal contact. A national study
found BPA in the urine of over 90% of people tested;
children were found to have higher levels than adults
(9). BPA has been found in pregnant women, umbilical
cord blood, and placentas at levels demonstrated in
animals to alter development (10).
COMMENTS: The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) empowers the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to set regulations protecting consumers of these products with testing and
labeling. As of this writing new CPSC requirements
are under development. Consumers of products
for children should look for products that state
“phthalate-free” or “BPA-free” or certification by
Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP) or American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Following are guidelines by which caregivers/teachers
may reduce exposure to phthalates and BPA:
a. When possible, opt for glass, porcelain or
stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food
or liquids (12);
b. If using plastic, do not use plastic or plastic wrap
for heating in microwave (try substituting a paper
towel or waxpaper for covering foods) (12);
c. Check the symbol on the bottom of the plastic
items including toys before buying. The plastics
industry has developed identification codes to
label different types of plastic. The identification
system divides plastic into seven distinct types
and uses a number code generally found on the
bottom of containers. For a table that explains the
seven code system, go to http://
www.natureworksllc.com/the-ingeo-journey/end-of
-life-options/recycling/plastic-codes.aspx. Contact
the manufacturer if there is a question about the
chemical content of a plastic item;
d. Best plastic choices are 1 (PETE), 2 (HDPE), 4
(LDPE), 5 (PP) and plastics labeled “phthalatefree” or “BPA-free”;
e. Avoid plastics labeled 3 (V), 6 (PS), and 7 (PC).
Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a number 7 on the bottom;
f. Use alternatives to polycarbonate “7” infant bottles. Alternatives include glass infant bottles, BPA
free, and products made of safer plastics such as
polyethylene and polypropylene that are less likely
to release harmful plasticizers (12) (safer nonpolycarbonate bottles are usually cloudy and
squeezable);
g. Do not use latex rubber nipples or plastic bottle
liners;
h. Avoid canned foods when possible;
i. If infant formula is used, it is best to use powdered
formula in a can;
j. Do not place plastics in the dishwasher;
k. If using hard polycarbonate plastics (PC) such as
water bottles/infant bottles, do not use for warm/
hot liquids;
l. Dispose of plastic bottles when they are old and
scratched;
m. Toys should be certified by the Toy Safety Certification Program (TSCP) or American National
Standards Institute (ANSI).
TYPE OF FACILITY: Center; Large Family Child Care
Home; Small Family Child Care Home
2/14/2013
Page 3
Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards
(3rd Edition, 2011)
Standard 5.3.1.2
Product Recall Monitoring
Staff should, on a monthly basis, seek information on recalls of juvenile products that may be
in use at the facility. Of particular importance are
recalls related to cribs, bassinets, and portable
play yards that may be used for infant sleep.
Additionally, caregivers/teachers should be
aware of recalls of toys, playground equipment,
strollers, and any other product routinely used
by children in the child care facility.
TYPE OF FACILITY: Center; Large Family Child
Care Home; Small Family Child Care Home
http://nrckids.org/CFOC3/HTMLVersion/
Model Child Care Health Policies: ECELS/Healthy Child Care Pennsylvania, PA Chapter of the
American Academy of Pediatrics, is accessible on the ECELS website at:
www.ecels-healthychildcarepa.org