Sex toys 'safer' than kids toys: Swedish study
Dangerous chemical substances, including lead, were found in 15 percent of children's toys in Sweden
Visitors browse sex aids during Singapore's first sex exhibition November 18, 2005. Always wanted to buy a sex-toy but cringed at the thought of entering one of those shops? Dutch Philips Electronics may have a solution. PHOTO: REUTERS
STOCKHOLM:
Fewer sex toys contain dangerous chemicals than children's toys, a Swedish inspection authority said in a report on Monday.
In 2015, the agency found dangerous chemical substances, including lead, in 15 percent of children's toys in Sweden.
The proportion of surveyed sex toys that contained banned chemicals was two percent, making these products safer than children's toys in terms of exposure to chemicals.
"This was a bit surprising," Frida Ramstrom, an inspector for the agency, told AFP. "This was the first time we did such a study."
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Among the 44 products investigated, one plastic dildo was found to contain chlorinated paraffins, which is suspected of causing cancer, the Swedish Chemicals Agency said.
Ramstrom said tough European regulations over chemical substances in products was a reason behind the safety of the sex toys.
"These products are used close to the body and one (therefore) chooses better chemicals," Ramstrom said.
It is difficult to determine exactly why more children's toys contain dangerous chemicals, according to Ramstrom.
But she said many kids toys are imported from Asia, making it more difficult to toughen demands over safety of the products.
Three of the 44 examined sex toys, made of leather and bondage tape, contained phthalates, used as a plasticiser, at levels above 0.1 percent, the agency said.
Phthalates are not banned in sex toys but are on the EU list of chemicals that are of "very high concern". It can affect the hormonal balance and cause infertility.
Fewer sex toys contain dangerous chemicals than children's toys, a Swedish inspection authority said in a report on Monday.
In 2015, the agency found dangerous chemical substances, including lead, in 15 percent of children's toys in Sweden.
The proportion of surveyed sex toys that contained banned chemicals was two percent, making these products safer than children's toys in terms of exposure to chemicals.
"This was a bit surprising," Frida Ramstrom, an inspector for the agency, told AFP. "This was the first time we did such a study."
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Among the 44 products investigated, one plastic dildo was found to contain chlorinated paraffins, which is suspected of causing cancer, the Swedish Chemicals Agency said.
Ramstrom said tough European regulations over chemical substances in products was a reason behind the safety of the sex toys.
"These products are used close to the body and one (therefore) chooses better chemicals," Ramstrom said.
It is difficult to determine exactly why more children's toys contain dangerous chemicals, according to Ramstrom.
But she said many kids toys are imported from Asia, making it more difficult to toughen demands over safety of the products.
Three of the 44 examined sex toys, made of leather and bondage tape, contained phthalates, used as a plasticiser, at levels above 0.1 percent, the agency said.
Phthalates are not banned in sex toys but are on the EU list of chemicals that are of "very high concern". It can affect the hormonal balance and cause infertility.