Banned toxic doll on sale in Napier

Mary O'Neill with the controversial fruit-head doll she bought in Napier. Photo / Duncan Brown

Children's toys containing chemicals that could cause cancer have made their way into a Napier store.

Mary O'Neill of Napier is a doll devotee and has run an online museum showcasing historic dolls since 2004. During a recent op-shop trip Mrs O'Neill instantly recognised the Fruit Head Doll as a threat.

The dolls were subject to a Europe-wide recall notice in 2013 because they contain phthalates, which is banned in children's toys and can be dangerous if ingested.

While the health effects of phthalates are not yet fully understood, they are known to disrupt the body's hormones and exposure has been linked to cancer, developmental problems and fertility issues.

Ms O'Neill paid $5 for a red apple doll in almost mint condition.

She said because the toys were colourful and attractive they would appeal to children.

"We need to raise awareness of parents and second-hand shop dealers that this item is highly dangerous and banned from the market worldwide.

"I am aware of problems that some modern dolls may have, so if any op shops have any concerns before they put a children's item for sale I would be happy to answer their question to the best of my knowledge free of charge," she said.

A spokesman for the company that produced the dolls said it had seized hundreds of the dolls during the past two years, trying to take them out of circulation, but it was still getting reports of the dolls being sold at markets.

University of Auckland Toxicology Department associate professor Malcolm Tingle said phthalates were used as plasticisers in PVC.

There was considerable data on the toxicity of chemicals such as DEHP. However, humans seemed to be relatively insensitive to their biological effects.

"There is much disagreement as to whether endocrine disrupters such as phthalates are in general problematic based on simple pharmacological and toxicological principles," Mr Tingle said.

The International Agency for research on Cancer has classified DEHP as the most common bad boy of the phthalate world because it is thought to be responsible for tumours in mice and rats. It did not have the same effect on humans.

"So, will a child get cancer through exposure to a toy containing phthalates?

"No," he said.