Determination of metals in children's plastic toys using X-ray florescence spectroscopy

Children's toys may contain substances that children can be exposed to via multiple pathways. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of metals in children's plastic toys using X-ray florescence. Fifty-six children's plastic toys were purchased from several wholesale markets, supermarkets, and retail stores in the UAE, and fifty-four out of them were labeled Made in China. X-ray fluorescence analysis was conducted on 442 samples from 56 toys to investigate the elemental composition of the toy material. The elements detected with higher frequencies were Ti (100%), Cl (78.6%), Zn (67.9%), Si (66.1%), Iron (48.2%), and Cu (16.1%). Chromium and nickel were detected only in one toy with low concentrations, while Pb was not detected in any of the toys analyzed. In conclusion, the analyzed plastic toys contain metals and the presence of these metals in some cases may pose a health risk to children. Chlorine presence in more than three quarters of toys may indicate that the toys were made of PVC. The study revealed the presence of titanium and silicon in toys. However, more research is needed to verify their role in toys and to identify associated health risks. The study did not reveal toxic elements such as Pb, Cd, and As.

Automated summary

This study used X-ray fluorescence to analyze the presence of metals in 56 children's plastic toys, with titanium, chlorine, zinc, silicon, iron, and copper being the most frequently detected elements. The study found that some toys may pose health risks to children due to the presence of metals, and suggested that the toys may be made of PVC based on the high frequency of chlorine presence. Further research is needed to verify the roles of titanium and silicon in toys and to identify associated health risks. No toxic elements such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic were detected in the toys analyzed.