Monitoring and risk assessment of hazardous chemicals in toy-slime and putty in the Netherlands.

In 2019, the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority performed a market surveillance for toy-slime (23 samples) and putty (16 samples). For 35% of the toy-slimes and 13% of the putties, the migration of boron exceeded the European legal limit of 300 and 1200 mg/kg respectively. In 36% of the toy samples, methylisothiazolinone (MI) and chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMI) were detected in levels up to 25 and 38 mg/kg, respectively, much higher than the European legal limit for aqueous toys intended for children younger than three.

Assessment of the risk of respiratory sensitization from fragrance allergens released by air fresheners.

Consumers using air fresheners are exposed to the emitted ingredients, including fragrances, via the respiratory tract. Several fragrances are known skin sensitizers, but it is unknown whether inhalation exposure to these chemicals can induce respiratory sensitization. Effects on the immune system were assessed by testing a selection of five fragrance allergens in the respiratory local lymph node assay (LLNA).

Determination of sixteen UV filters in suncare formulations by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP-LC) with UV detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of 16 organic UV filters worldwide authorized in suncare products. The filters determined were: 4-aminobenzoic acid, homosalate, benzophenone-3,2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid, terephthalidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, 4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxy-dibenzoylmethane, octocrylene, 2-ethylhexyl-4-methoxycinnamate, isoamyl-p-methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyltriazone, drometrizole trisiloxane, diethylhexyl butamido triazone, 3-(4-methylbenzyliden) camphor, 2-ethylhexylsalicylate, 2-ethylhexyl-4-dimethylaminobenzoate and benzophenone-4. A C18 stationary phase and a gradient of ethanol-aqueous acetate buffer containing 0.

Migration of phthalates from PVC toys into saliva simulant by dynamic extraction.

Soft PVC children's products are usually plasticized with phthalates. As young children suck and chew on toys, they extract and ingest certain quantities of the plasticizers. Some phthalates are suspected to affect the kidneys and liver and cause testicular damage.