Zhu zhu pet Mr. Squiggles contains QUESTIONABLE levels of antimony

[clovergirl5]

Just saw this on cnn...

http://www.edition.cnn.com/2009/US/12/06/zhu.zhu.toys/index.html

 

[Geoff_M]

Be careful with that scare title of your thread... There's no claim that the levels of Antimony found are "toxic". The claim by the group is that they found levels above the "allowable" limits. "Toxic" and "allowable" limits are two very different things. When the government sets allowable limits they normally build in safety margins that are often in the range of a ten fold difference. The group's claim should be looked into, but there's no need to start panicing parents into throwing away their kids' Zhu Zhu's lest they poison their children.

 

[clovergirl5]

So who are you supposed to believe? The toy company trying to sell the toy or the company that found high levels of antimony? Whats a parent to do? I personally don't see the big deal with this toy, my kids would play with it for an hour and forget it and it would just sit there. But some kids really like it.
Anyone who bought this here? Just wondering what you think? I remember all the lead scares with dora toys we had a couple years ago and we had to get #'s from the bottom of the toys and compare them with a website listing the "bad" ones.
Right now, it only seems to be this one particular hamster. If it does turn out to be true, haven't toy companies learned anything for the last few years with lead in some toys? Its unbelievable if there is antimony and this company is lying and these toys are selling like hotcakes right now.

 

[clovergirl5]

Be careful with that scare title of your thread... There's no claim that the levels of Antimony found are "toxic". The claim by the group is that they found levels above the "allowable" limits. "Toxic" and "allowable" limits are two very different things. When the government sets allowable limits they normally build in safety margins that are often in the range of a ten fold difference. The group's claim should be looked into, but there's no need to start panicing parents into throwing away their kids' Zhu Zhu's lest they poison their children.

Thanks for that...I changed it in the title, but cnn ticker on tv used the word toxic...I typed what was on the ticker.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I have read this but it has no information on if this is really a reason to be worried. I have never heard of antimony and no idea how it harms you? Usually junk like this turns out that you would have to suck on the hamster's nose for 52 weeks nonstop for it to even make you sneeze funny. If this is really so horrible then I want to know why I should care.

Water is toxic too, if you drink enough of it. (as proved by that radio station contest) But since I never plan to drink that much water in that amount of time, it isn't something I need to worry about.

 

[clovergirl5]

Here is a little more info about what they didn't find..

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-365175

 

[Geoff_M]

It's not a matter of "who to believe". At this point all we have is one unverified report on one of the types of hampsters that may have up to twice the allowable amount. Note that the allowable limit is not "zero". The so-called First Law of Toxicology is "The dose makes the poison". If the reports are confirmed, then any effected lots will be recalled. But medically, you can be assured that even the elevated levels of Antimony found will be well under actual toxic levels.

 

[clovergirl5]

Geez....there is so much in this world to worry about, now I gotta worry whats still in my dd2 toys that she puts in her mouth. I need to up my OCD meds

 

[Geoff_M]

Here is a little more info about what they didn't find..

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-365175

Also, take "iReports" with a grain of salt... They're the "Wikipedia" of the jouralism world.

 

[clovergirl5]

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The natural sulfide of antimony was known and used in Biblical times as medicine and as a cosmetic. Antimony in its elemental form is a silvery white, brittle crystalline solid that exhibits poor electrical and heat conductivity properties. Commercial forms of antimony are generally ingots, broken pieces, granules, and cast cake. Other forms are powder, shot, and single crystals.
Estimates of the abundance of antimony in the Earth's crust range from 0.2 to 0.5 parts per million. Antimony is chalcophile, occurring with sulfur and the heavy metals, lead, copper, and silver. Over a hundred minerals of antimony are found in nature. Stibnite (Sb2S3) is the predominant ore mineral of antimony.

The most important use of antimony metal is as a hardener in lead for storage batteries. The metal also finds applications in solders and other alloys. Antimony trioxide is the most important of the antimony compounds and is primarily used in flame-retardant formulations. These flame-retardant applications include such markets as children's clothing, toys, aircraft and automobile seat covers.


Hmm, you learn something everyday.

 

[golfgal]

So who are you supposed to believe? The toy company trying to sell the toy or the company that found high levels of antimony? Whats a parent to do? I personally don't see the big deal with this toy, my kids would play with it for an hour and forget it and it would just sit there. But some kids really like it.
Anyone who bought this here? Just wondering what you think? I remember all the lead scares with dora toys we had a couple years ago and we had to get #'s from the bottom of the toys and compare them with a website listing the "bad" ones.
Right now, it only seems to be this one particular hamster. If it does turn out to be true, haven't toy companies learned anything for the last few years with lead in some toys? Its unbelievable if there is antimony and this company is lying and these toys are selling like hotcakes right now.

And who's not to say that some competitor didn't plant the story too???

 

[golfgal]

USGS Home
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Statistics and Information
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The natural sulfide of antimony was known and used in Biblical times as medicine and as a cosmetic. Antimony in its elemental form is a silvery white, brittle crystalline solid that exhibits poor electrical and heat conductivity properties. Commercial forms of antimony are generally ingots, broken pieces, granules, and cast cake. Other forms are powder, shot, and single crystals.
Estimates of the abundance of antimony in the Earth's crust range from 0.2 to 0.5 parts per million. Antimony is chalcophile, occurring with sulfur and the heavy metals, lead, copper, and silver. Over a hundred minerals of antimony are found in nature. Stibnite (Sb2S3) is the predominant ore mineral of antimony.

The most important use of antimony metal is as a hardener in lead for storage batteries. The metal also finds applications in solders and other alloys. Antimony trioxide is the most important of the antimony compounds and is primarily used in flame-retardant formulations. These flame-retardant applications include such markets as children's clothing, toys, aircraft and automobile seat covers.


Hmm, you learn something everyday.

So in other words--it is already out there and don't suck on your Zhu zhu pet.

 

[Geoff_M]

And who's not to say that some competitor didn't plant the story too???

I doubt it's corporate sabotage... More likey an advocacy group looking to generate some headlines for themselves at a time of year where it will make the biggest splash.

 

[C.Ann]

Geez....there is so much in this world to worry about, now I gotta worry whats still in my dd2 toys that she puts in her mouth. I need to up my OCD meds

And watch out for any Disney items you buy - so many of them are labeled as having "cancer causing agents" - due to some California proposition or something.. Seriously - our Tinker Bell tree topper carries that warning - along with numerous other Disney items we have purchased over the years..

Sometimes these "groups" try much too hard to find any little issue they can latch on to and then run wild with it..

I think with something like this, I would do some researh online in regards to this anitomy to see if you can find any actual cases of children and/or adults who have been harmed by this ingredient.. Obviously it's used in many items (and has probably been around for a gazillion years), so whatever information you can find in regards to actual documented cases of illness or injury from anitomy should help you determine what is or isn't safe for you child.. I understand your concern for the safety of your child, but sometimes these "groups" cause more harm than good..

 

[Mickey's Minion]

The most important use of antimony metal is as a hardener in lead for storage batteries. The metal also finds applications in solders and other alloys. Antimony trioxide is the most important of the antimony compounds and is primarily used in flame-retardant formulations. These flame-retardant applications include such markets as children's clothing, toys, aircraft and automobile seat covers.

So in other words--it is already out there and don't suck on your Zhu zhu pet.

while wearing pajamas and sitting in a car seat

 

[golfgal]

while wearing pajamas as you are doubly exposed.

and especially after you stuck a battery up your nose.

I agree, these consumer "protection" groups have done more harm than good and what people really don't realize is how much it costs each and everyone of us for companies to have to add all these stupid warning labels to their packaging (I mean, if you are dumb enough to curl your hair while you are taking a bath-well, natural consequences....).

 

[clovergirl5]

If anyone is interested, here is a pretty informative site about chemicals in kids toys, carseats, clothes, backpacks, etc. Pretty scary, I never really thought about it before besides the lead in the recalls the last couple of years.

http://www.healthystuff.org/index.php

 

[clovergirl5]

With all the chemicals in everything we use everyday, it makes you think about all the cancer and disease around Its scary when you start researching and thinking of loved ones who have died of cancer or the 2 miscarriages I have had, wondering how much truth there is in all the info you come across.
But in the same sense too, If all the info you read is true... all these things are of modern convenience and how easy is it to give up? Giving everything up would take alot of willpower

Hmmm, that is my lightbulb thought of the day I guess.
Those things that make you go, HMMM

 

[luvmy3]

I found this info on antimony last night.

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts23.html

September 1995
ToxFAQs™
for
Antimony and Compounds
(Antimonio)

CAS# 7440-36-0


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This fact sheet answers the most frequently asked health questions about antimony. For more information, you may call the ATSDR Information Center at 1-888-422-8737. This fact sheet is one in a series of summaries about hazardous substances and their health effects. This information is important because this substance may harm you. The effects of exposure to any hazardous substance depend on the dose, the duration, how you are exposed, personal traits and habits, and whether other chemicals are present.


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SUMMARY: Exposure to antimony occurs in the workplace or from skin contact with soil at hazardous waste sites. Breathing high levels of antimony for a long time can irritate the eyes and lungs, and can cause problems with the lungs, heart, and stomach. This chemical has been found in at least 403 of 1,416 National Priorities List sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency.


What is antimony?
Antimony is a silvery-white metal that is found in the earth's crust. Antimony ores are mined and then mixed with other metals to form antimony alloys or combined with oxygen to form antimony oxide.

Little antimony is currently mined in the United States. It is brought into this country from other countries for processing. However, there are companies in the United States that produce antimony as a by-product of smelting lead and other metals.

Antimony isn't used alone because it breaks easily, but when mixed into alloys, it is used in lead storage batteries, solder, sheet and pipe metal, bearings, castings, and pewter. Antimony oxide is added to textiles and plastics to prevent them from catching fire. It is also used in paints, ceramics, and fireworks, and as enamels for plastics, metal, and glass.

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What happens to antimony when it enters the environment?
Antimony is released to the environment from natural sources and from industry.
In the air, antimony is attached to very small particles that may stay in the air for many days.
Most antimony ends up in soil, where it attaches strongly to particles that contain iron, manganese, or aluminum.
Antimony is found at low levels in some rivers, lakes, and streams.

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How might I be exposed to antimony?
Because antimony is found naturally in the environment, the general population is exposed to low levels of it every day, primarily in food, drinking water, and air.
It may be found in air near industries that process or release it, such as smelters, coal-fired plants, and refuse incinerators.
In polluted areas containing high levels of antimony, it may be found in the air, water, and soil.
Workers in industries that process it or use antimony ore may be exposed to higher levels.

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How can antimony affect my health?
Exposure to antimony at high levels can result in a variety of adverse health effects.

Breathing high levels for a long time can irritate your eyes and lungs and can cause heart and lung problems, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach ulcers.

In short-term studies, animals that breathed very high levels of antimony died. Animals that breathed high levels had lung, heart, liver, and kidney damage. In long-term studies, animals that breathed very low levels of antimony had eye irritation, hair loss, lung damage, and heart problems. Problems with fertility were also noted. In animal studies, problems with fertility have been seen when rats breathed very high levels of antimony for a few months.

Ingesting large doses of antimony can cause vomiting. We don't know what other effects may be caused by ingesting it. Long-term animal studies have reported liver damage and blood changes when animals ingested antimony. Antimony can irritate the skin if it is left on it.



How likely is antimony to cause cancer?
The Department of Health and Human Services, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have not classified antimony as to its human carcinogenicity.

Lung cancer has been observed in some studies of rats that breathed high levels of antimony. No human studies are available. We don't know whether antimony will cause cancer in people.


If there is no evidence proving that this causes cancer in humans, I guestion the motives of those who say it does without actual evidence backing up their claim.

 

[pipersmom]

Okay, so no letting your child eat Mr Squiggles for dinner! Seriously though, as a child I can't recall ANY toy recalls, and I think I came out okay. (Though that may be subject to opinion.) It would be one thing if it was spontaneously combusting, but this report, whether true or not, doesn't really bother me, esp considering she'll prob play with the zhu zhu's for a week all hot and heavy, and then maybe once a month, knowing her.