Amid ongoing concerns about mold in teething toys like Sophie la Girafe, a study by Sweden's Chemicals Agency delivers a surprising finding: sex toys often prove safer chemically than children's toys, with fewer dangerous substances detected.
The agency analyzed 112 children's toys and 44 sex toys. Key results: 15% of children's toys harbored banned chemicals like lead, compared to just 2% of sex toys. Three sex toys exceeded the 0.1% phthalate limit requiring disclosure, and only one plastic dildo contained prohibited chlorinated paraffins.
What's behind the gap? Björn Malmström, agency spokesperson, notes that sex toys are typically imported by major firms that pressure manufacturers to eliminate hazards. Children's toys, sourced more by small importers, receive less rigorous oversight—fueling parental skepticism.
