Environmental Science & Technology Group (ESTg), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 010000.
The Environment & Resource Efficiency Cluster (EREC), Nazarbayev University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, 010000.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2020 Jun;27(17):21071-21083. doi: 10.1007/s11356-020-08631-5. Epub 2020 Apr 7.
Contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in children's toys and jewelry is an ongoing problem, and there is evidence in the literature that the issue is shifting towards developing countries and small markets. The present research aims (1) to characterize total concentrations of eleven PTEs (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, and Zn) in children's jewelry and toys purchased from the Central Asian market (n = 65), and (2) to investigate the relationship between the extent of contamination and sample categories/properties. The laboratory analyses showed that the majority of the samples had PTEs above the total and soluble limits for PTEs stated in the USA, Canadian, and the EU legislation. Particularly for metallic toys and jewelry (n = 46), the total concentrations in 45 samples exceeded the EU migration limits for one or more PTEs. In particular, Cu and Zn concentrations were extremely high (up to 100%) in many samples and highly toxic Cd and Pb were present in elevated quantities in several articles. Contamination was also present, albeit to a much lesser extent, in other toy categories: brittle/pliable toys for Co and Cr, plastic toys and jewelry for Pb, and other toys for Co. Although average values and visual observations suggested evidence, no statistically significant relationship between PTE concentrations and sample properties (color, price, and degree of appeal) could be found. The findings supported the evidence that the contamination issue in children's jewelry and toys by PTEs is an ongoing issue in developing countries. Very high total concentrations of PTEs particularly found in several metallic samples warrant further investigation of migratable concentrations. Thus, conducting bioaccessibility tests and a subsequent human health risk characterization is recommended. Overall, there is a potential risk for children in the case of exposure to PTEs from children's jewelry and toys sold on the Central Asian market. More effective enforcement of legislation for consumer goods in the region and raising public awareness regarding chemicals in children's products are recommended.
儿童玩具和饰品中潜在有毒元素 (PTEs) 的污染是一个持续存在的问题，有文献证据表明，这一问题正在向发展中国家和小市场转移。本研究旨在：(1) 描述从中亚市场购买的儿童饰品和玩具中 11 种 PTEs（As、Ba、Cd、Co、Cr、Cu、Mn、Ni、Pb、Se 和 Zn）的总浓度；(2) 研究污染程度与样品类别/特性之间的关系。实验室分析表明，大多数样品的 PTE 含量超过了美国、加拿大和欧盟法规规定的 PTE 总量和可溶性限值。特别是对于金属玩具和饰品（n=46），45 个样品的总浓度超过了欧盟针对一种或多种 PTE 的迁移限值。特别是，许多样品中 Cu 和 Zn 的浓度极高（高达 100%），许多样品中还存在高浓度的高毒性 Cd 和 Pb。在其他玩具类别中也存在污染，尽管程度较轻：脆性/弹性玩具中 Co 和 Cr，塑料玩具和饰品中 Pb，以及其他玩具中 Co。虽然平均值和直观观察表明存在证据，但未发现 PTE 浓度与样品特性（颜色、价格和吸引力程度）之间存在统计学上的显著关系。研究结果支持了这样的证据，即在发展中国家，儿童饰品和玩具中的 PTE 污染问题仍在持续。特别是在几个金属样品中发现的非常高的 PTE 总浓度需要进一步研究其可迁移浓度。因此，建议进行生物可利用性测试和随后的人类健康风险评估。总体而言，从中亚市场购买的儿童饰品和玩具中 PTE 对儿童存在潜在风险。建议该地区更有效地执行消费品法规，并提高公众对儿童产品中化学物质的认识。
