Md Mahabub Alam :About 97 per cent toys sold in local markets contain highly toxic chemicals, posing serious health hazards to children, says a survey report conducted by Environment and Social Development Organisation (ESDO).The chemicals include lead, bromine, cadmium and chromium that cause various diseases, including handicapped, cancer, kidney disease, lung problem, heart failure, brain tumour and growth problem.Testing a number of local and imported toys in own laboratory, ESDO, a NGO, found the evidence of chemicals. Most of the toys contain 8,305.8 PPM lead, 3,923 PPM bromine, 4,90.5 PPM cadmium and 2502.2 PPM chromium, which is several thousands multiple larger than standard measure.The European countries admit to use of chemicals in toys. Lead can be used 65.5 PPM, bromine 75 PPM, cadmium 20 PPM and chromium 27.5 PPM.The report says, the toxic chemical contained in both local and imported toys are almost same criterion, adding that this practice is done having no law in this regard and lack of awareness. Parents give toys to their children to make them smile. The chemicals contained in toys enter into their bellies at the time of sucking. Mohammad Ataur Rahman from Mirpur told The New Nation, he is used to purchase toys for his only son and he does not have any idea about toxic chemical in those.Disease Phenology, Control and Research Institute Director Mahmudur Rahman admitting the use of toxic chemical in toys said that these chemicals were severe harmful for the children.He said, the country should have a law restricting use of chemicals to a tolerable level, as have foreign countries.
