BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free Bath Toy Guide
March 17, 2008 by Alicia
Filed under Bath Gear and Toys, Featured, Shopping Guides
UPDATED 2/12/10
Sadly, PVC is a mainstay in children’s bath toys. But with some digging, we were able to find an array of alternatives. Keep an eye on our list, because we’ll add to it as we learn of more BPA and PVC free options.
Boon, Inc. Bath Goods (updated 12/8/08 )
- The Flo Faucet Cover, Frog Pod, Appliqués and Mini-scrubbies included in the Designer Bath Toys are BPA, PVC and phthalate free
- The balls included in the Designer set are currently made with PVC, but Boon just confirmed for us that they are working to reformulate the balls to be PVC-free soon
- All of Boon’s new bath toys are BPA, PVC and phthalate free: Bug Pod, Splat, Water Bugs, Scrubble, Squish Duck, Slim Duck, Jane Duck, Bob Duck (the Boon Ducks production has been set back to Fall 2009)
PUJ Baby (added 12/2/08 )
The new PUJ Baby Bath (pronounced “pudge”) is a Mom-invented and very unique bathtub. It’s made from EVA foam, making it soft and comfortable for baby.
International Play Things (updated 4/10/08 )
We ran into International Play Things bath toys everywhere we turned. They have listened to concerned parents and worked to add many new safer bath toys for 2009.
- Bathtime Shower
- Tub Boats
- Lil’ Squirts
- Bath Paddlers
- Bubble Frog
- Bath Beakers
- Super Sudser
- Bath Mix N Match
- Lobster Tub Caddy
- Scoop N Strain Water Wand
Rich Frog Industries Bath Toys
- All Natural Rubber Duckies: made the use of PVC or phthalates (and are also BPA free)
- Surfer Dudes, terry cloth toys, sponges and bath mitts are obviously free of BPA and PVC too, but they also meet the American Society for Testing and Materials standards and are free of lead and other toxins.
Sassy Bath Toys (updated 2/11/10)
- Suds & Sun Visors
- Soft Swimmers
- Catch & Release Net
- Pour & Explore Cups
- Fill & Float Duckie
- Scrub-A-Dub Carwash
- Soft Touch Rinse Cup
- Count N Spell Appliques – Rainbow
- Count N Spell Appliques – Pink
- Pull & Go Boats
- Bathtime Pals
- Aquatic Bobbers
- Count ‘n Spell Bath Appliques
- Bath Wigglers
- Stack Up Critter Cups
- Bath Links
- Squirting Sea Creatures
- Squishy Squirt Pals
- Counting Fish ‘n Net
- Double Duckies
- Hip-O-Boat (please note that the Gator Boat does contain PVC).
- Fishing Links
- Hook, Line and Sinkers
- Bloom and Groom Garden Set
- Twist and Turn Trio
- Tubby Tumblers
Needless to say, we were thrilled to hear that Sassy offers so many great bath toy options. By the way, Sassy responded to our inquiries immediately and thoroughly.
Spielstabil
- Splashing Fun: 5 pc. set includes boat, water mill, spoon scoop, draining cup and a rubber ducky (the rubber ducky is made from phthalate free PVC).
- Stacking Cups
- Transparent Bucket with Geometrical Sands Molds
- Transparent Bucket with Small Boats
- Beaker Set
- Baby’s Water Fun Set: Funny bucket with rattle rings and foot print on bottom, watering can, baby spoon and 3 animal water squirters (all of the animal water squirters are made from PVC)
- All Sand Toys are BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free: Baby Foot Bucket, Baby Sand Set, Baby’s Sand Play, Baby Sand Spoons
We were thoroughly impressed with Spielstabil’s very quick response. We also learned their whole line of toys (with the exception of the ones listed above) are completely BPA, PVC and Phthalate free!
Juvenile Solutions, Inc.
- Baby Cocoon Bath Seat
- Thermobaby Daphne Infant Bath Seat
- Thermobaby Plastic Bathtub
- Peli’s Play Pouch Bath Toy Organizer
- Digital Dolphin Thermometer
We were pleasantly surprised to learn that each and every product offered by Juvenile Solutions, Inc. is BPA, PVC and Phthalate free! Their line includes the very popular Baby Cubes, as well as baby dishes, utensils, bibs, etc.
Fisher Price
We hit a wall when inquiring about Fisher Price’s Aquarium Bath Center and Rainforest Bath Center. We were told by the rep and the rep’s supervisor that their list of materials is “proprietary.” Then they topped off our disappointment with letters of BPA and PVC safety assurance.
I saw a lot of people were asking about Alex baby toys and since I have a little knowledge I thought I’d share. Alex Toys e-mailed me back and said that their bath foam appliques are all made of EVA that includes all the bath sticker things but all the bath squirters are made of PVC…phthalate-free PVC but still PVC. The bags are also vinyl. Ihave since asked them about the use of phthalates in their finger paints since I’m aware that it’s a commonly used stabalizer in such products. Unfortunetly it’s been months with no response. Hope this helps.
I saw a lot of people were asking about Alex baby toys and since I have a little knowledge I thought I’d share. Alex Toys e-mailed me back and said that their bath foam appliques are all made of EVA that includes all the bath sticker things but all the bath squirters are made of PVC…phthalate-free PVC but still PVC. The bags are also vinyl. Ihave since asked them about the use of phthalates in their finger paints since I’m aware that it’s a commonly used stabalizer in such products. Unfortunetly it’s been months with no response. Hope this helps.
I saw a lot of people were asking about Alex baby toys and since I have a little knowledge I thought I’d share. Alex Toys e-mailed me back and said that their bath foam appliques are all made of EVA that includes all the bath sticker things but all the bath squirters are made of PVC…phthalate-free PVC but still PVC. The bags are also vinyl. Ihave since asked them about the use of phthalates in their finger paints since I’m aware that it’s a commonly used stabalizer in such products. Unfortunetly it’s been months with no response. Hope this helps.
I saw a lot of people were asking about Alex baby toys and since I have a little knowledge I thought I’d share. Alex Toys e-mailed me back and said that their bath foam appliques are all made of EVA that includes all the bath sticker things but all the bath squirters are made of PVC…phthalate-free PVC but still PVC. The bags are also vinyl. Ihave since asked them about the use of phthalates in their finger paints since I’m aware that it’s a commonly used stabalizer in such products. Unfortunetly it’s been months with no response. Hope this helps.
This is a great list. I have been working on a toy list for Christmas, beyond bath toys!
As you know, Congress just passed a law banning these toxins in toys, but they have until Feb 2009 to get rid of their toxic stock before they must comply. Which means we’ll be buying lead and phthalates for Christmas if we are not smart about it. I will be updating this list until Christmas.
http://amomsblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/23/lead-and-phthalate-free-toys-for-christmas/
AUGH!!!!! I didn’t even *think* about the plastic her bathtub is made of!!!
All Battat soft bath toys are made from phthalate-free PVC, which is better than having phthalates I guess. They make bath toys for Pottery Barn Kids and the also the Parents brand.
I am under the impression that any soft squirty bath toy is going to be made of PVC (unless it is made of natural rubber). Is this true?
Thanks for the info, Anna. Yes, it’s safe to assume that the more flexible bath toys are made from PVC, unless otherwise labeled. We’ve seen a few bath duckies made from plastic other than PVC, but they are more firm and not nearly as flexible. Still, it’s so hard to know that I wouldn’t suggest taking the risk.
Alicia
Update on ALEX finger paints. After my local toy store found out for me that the paints were phthalate-free we used them the first chance we got only to find my son swollen, red and irritated minutes into it. Everywhere he came in contact with the paint was bright red and raised. I contacted to company again and said “hey whats the deal?” They e-mail me a list of ingredients. After researching the things I couldn’t pronounce we found they contained formaldehyde! My local toy store pulled all the paints and contacted her rep. Turns out other kids have been having the same reaction. The rep is now in contact with the president of ALEX toys. We’ll see what happens. ALEX toys has repeatedly e-mailed me and assured me their products are safe and my son must just be allergic. They’ve ask me to stop sharing my story because because it’s causing a bit of an up roar and just because my son’s allergic doesn’t make their product bad. I don’t know about you all but allergic or not I don’t and won’t knowingly expose my son to formaldehyde!
Are rubber ducks by Bud BPA free? I have seen they are phtalate free.
Hi there,
is Tubby Tug Boat in Clear Packaging by parents bpa, pvc, and phthalate free?
Just thought I would mention that I found a bath mat at IKEA that is PVC free (in the kids section).
They said that their shower curtains are also PVC free.
Hello…I am new to the blog, but have been using the Soft Landing & have purchased safe stuff via here before. I am wondering if you can tell me about Sassy bath toys further. I purchased 2 today, the Counting & friends n net…which I see the blog that states it is “free” of everything…but I also purchased the “aquatic bobbers” which are called “bobblers” on the soft landing safe bath toy guide & also both products look a bit different than pictured on the Squddio guide. Are the toys just their newer version? Are they still safe? & also I saw the pelican & penquin boats…are they the same as the safe hippo boat? Any information would be so helpful…my 11 month old needs something other than her wash cloth to play w/ in the tub…poor thing has a paranoid mama!
TO RENEE, AND TO ALL MOTHERS WITH TODDLERS BEGINNING TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH ART… I ordered Alex finger paints for my son, Dante, from The Land of Nod. They advertised them as (and angrily assured me that they are) non-toxic. When I could not find a non-toxic label on the packaging, I did some research. If it’s not ACMI approved, I’m not touching it. Check out coopamerica.org. In the search menu, type ‘Are Art Supplies Toxic’. It’s an extremely informative article, and you’ll find all you need to know there. I started to take a closer look at all of the supplies I use on a daily basis, for my business, and with my son… Sharpies, Expo dry-erase markers, just about all Crayola products I’ve come across, and even things like certain stick glues are ACMI approved. Please blog back if you have any more info!
The Boon bath toys are wonderful! They are so colorful and made with children in mind. My daughter loves using the net and water spiders outside of the bath – we use them to help count and learn colors. Same with the rings. I’m so glad there are finally bath toys that I can feel good about letting her play with!
Hi, thanks so much for all of this useful information! I am finding it invaluable and wanted to ask a question about the Munchkin Inflatable Safety Duck Tub, which I received as a gift. I emailed the company to find out what material the tub is made of and whether it contains any PVC or BPA. Here is the response I received: “The Munchkin Inflatable Safety Duck Tub is made of a Phthalate-Free Polyvinyl Chloride which is also BPA free.” Do you know whether Phthalate-Free Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is safe for babies? Thanks in advance!
Add to the Sassy list Sassy Bath Tme Kitchen Sink and Snap and Squirt Sea Creatures. Hurray!
Any word on when we can buy the bath toy sampler set? I am hanging on to mu daughter’s christmas money to buy one!
thanks for all the information. I was looking into the munchkin bath scoop, similar to the boon one, since I had seen it on sale. Because I had no information about it, I emailed Munchkin and got the following response…
“The bath super scooper is made out of the following materials:
Phthalate-Free Polyvinyl Chloride, Polypropylene, Adhesion Tapes
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact us again.
Have a great day!
Thank You-
Patricia Silva
Munchkin, Inc.
Consumer Relations”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I though PVC has the potential to leach out phalates and other toxins
HI
Your website is just great! Thanks for the incredible products and source material. I will be referring my listeners here tonight! I will also be back researching. I am very loyal to safe producers.
I have been doing a radio program on toxics for some 17 years on a local public radio station (www.kzyx.org). I am currently doing shows on toxics in the different rooms of the house provoked by the excellent new book Poisonous Profits: The Assault on Our Children by Alice and Philip Shabecoff, Random house. This is a very excellent book that has the whole roller coaster ride of toxics from exposing us all, to non regulation, solutions by devoted parents in their homes and united, business like yours and the organizations that helping us stay informed. They had a section that is a tour of the house which I am feature tonight 3/3/09 from 7-8 PST (first tuesday of every month.) I hope to also interview Mark Shapiro, Author of Exposed, the solution to unwilling toxic industries via a defiant European Union that is saying no to the toxic Trojan horse these industries are presenting us with. They are leading a world that is tired of the US’s toxic solutions, but alas folks like you are turning it around too.
Kudos
Greg Krouse
Toxic Trespass Radio
go to the website listed above if you want to listen in and follow the live feeds. It is call in with an 800 number so you can join us too.
Hello!
My name is Kate Hatem and I am an assistant product manager at International Playthings.
I saw your posting about our iPlay bath toys. I want to let you know that for 2009 all of our items are BPA and Phthalate free.
You can check out our full line of Bath toys here: http://www.intplay.com/productnav.aspx?gid=4&cid=19136 .
In regards to PVC, the vast majority of our items are PVC free, however both of our Scrub-A-Dub dogs are made with Phthalate free PVC.
Please feel free to let me know if you have additional questions about our bath toys or any of the other toys we offer.
Regards,
Kate Hatem
Hi Kate,
I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and provide us with updated information!
We’ve contacted International Playthings several times over the last year, and while the reps were very kind, they just didn’t have any confirmed details on your products.
We’re really thrilled to hear of your move towards BPA and phthalate-free bath products! We’ll contact you directly soon
Thanks!
Alicia
I emailed Sassy about their Pelican Boat and new Bathtime Buddies. They are safe too! This is the email I got:
Thank you for your email. The Pelican Boat & Bathtime Buddies are BPA, PVC and phthalate-free. Be assured we only use safe non-toxic materials. The safety of the children using/playing with our products is our primary concern, and all of our products meet and exceed all safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). Best Regards, Judy/Sassy Consumer Relations
I am so happy to have a long list of safe bath toys for my kids. I love your site and refer other moms to you constantly. Thank you for all you do!
One area I am having trouble with, though, in terms of safer options is the non-skid bath mat. I need one for my 3 little kids so they don’t slip. Since they sit directly on it while their skin is wet and prone to absorbing all kinds of stuff, I want a safer alternative to the vinyl ones I see in all the stores. However, I can’t seem to find a safe, eco-friendly alternative. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Wow, some amazing comments on this post.
Claire
Wow, some amazing comments on this post.
Claire
Re: Thermobaby plastic bath tubs which is made of ABS plastic. This is what I found on the Greenpeace website (http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/pvcdatabas...)
about ABS:
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) is used as a hard plastic in many applications like pipes, car bumpers and toys (hard building blocks). ABS uses a number of hazardous chemicals. These include butadiene and styrene (see above) and acrylonitrile. Acrylonitrile is highly toxic and readily absorbed by humans by inhalation and directly through the skin. Both the liquid and its vapor are highly toxic. Acrylonitrile is classified as a probable human carcinogen as are styrene and butadiene.
Thermobaby Plastic Bathtub is made of ABS plastic. This is what the Greenpeace website (http://archive.greenpeace.org/toxics/pvcdatabas...) says about ABS:
Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) is used as a hard plastic in many applications like pipes, car bumpers and toys (hard building blocks). ABS uses a number of hazardous chemicals. These include butadiene and styrene (see above) and acrylonitrile. Acrylonitrile is highly toxic and readily absorbed by humans by inhalation and directly through the skin. Both the liquid and its vapor are highly toxic. Acrylonitrile is classified as a probable human carcinogen as are styrene and butadiene.
Hi William,
The raw ingredients and the production of ABS can be toxic, but the resin itself is known to be very stable (at least according to current information). The information provided by GreenPeace is related only to the raw chemicals and not the final product. As for leaching toxins from the actual plastic resin, I have found no reason to be concerned at this point.
Alicia
Use our list as a guide. Shopping at a natural store doesnt mean ….
Your information is really helpful to parents to avoid the risks involved with baby tubs. Good work.
Hi Jennifer,
We haven’t looked into the Tubby Tug Boat, so we can’t be of any help. You may want to contact the manufacturer directly.
Alicia
Hi ibnyc,
Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment of our blog!
We recommend avoiding PVC (even if it free of phthalate chemicals), because it inherently carries so many other toxins such as lead and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). You can learn more about why avoiding PVC with children is best in our article CHEJ Pulls Back the Curtain on PVC.
Hope that helps
Alicia
Hi Steph,
We’re STILL waiting on our Boon bath toy shipment, but hoping to see it within the next week or too. So keep hanging in there
Alicia
Hi Greg,
Thanks for the great compliment on our website! We really appreciate you referring your listeners to us and we’ll look forward to answering any questions they have. Please feel free to share our email address with them info@thesoftlanding.com.
I’m going to try to make the radio program tonight too. I’m reading Mark Shapiro’s book right now, and will be writing a review on it soon.
Thanks again!
Alicia