Fears popular children's toy contains cancer-causing chemicals

Popular children's toys known as "Squishies" have been banned in Denmark after tests revealed they contain dangerous chemicals.

The foam toys, which are similar to stress balls and tend to be shaped like food or animals, were found to contain cancer-causing substances, as well as chemicals that can lead to liver damage, breathing problems, infertility and eye irritation.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency tested 12 squishies and found that all contained chemicals that could cause both long and short-term health problems, the MailOnline reported.

Jakob Ellemann-Jensen, the Danish minister for environment and health, said: "When all twelve toys contain high amounts of harmful substances, alarm bells begin to go off. This indicates that there may be an overall problem with all squishies".

The results were shared with other EU countries, however, the Toy Industries Europe called the study 'flimsy', claiming testing just 12 squishies is insufficient to justify a ban.

Planet Fun, New Zealand's largest toy importer, told the Herald all Squishies toys under the brands of Soft n Slo, Smooshy Mooshy, and Squeezamals have been tested in accordance with European, North American, & Australian & New Zealand Toy Safety Standards and say the tests show materials to be within safe limits.

What the research claims

Scientists from the Danish agency analysed the chemicals given off by squishies if a child lay down to sleep while hugging the toy one hour after it was removed from its packaging.

Results revealed such a child would be exposed to "unacceptably high levels" of the chemical N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), which is readily absorbed through the skin and has been linked to liver toxicity, as well as constipation and vomiting.

In all 12 of the squishies analysed, the chemicals triethylenediamine, which has been linked to eye irritation and breathing difficulties, and cyclohexanone, which can cause drowsiness, were both dangerously high.

Three days after the toys, which are usually imported from Japan, were removed from their packaging, DMF and triethylenediamine levels remained 'unacceptably high'.

Results, published on the agency's website, further suggest squishies contain various fragrances, which have previously been described as 'gender benders' due to them encouraging male-breast growth.

Speaking of the results, Mr Ellemann-Jensen added: "I think all distributors and importers should take their responsibility seriously and remove all squishies from their shelves.

"They should not be returned to shelves until it can be documented that they do not emit chemicals that may be harmful to children."

A spokesperson for Planet Fun advised that an independent review by toxicologist Dr John Hopkins of Innovant Research in the UK, has highlighted that the methodology used by the Danish environmental agency in their testing of Squishies were "under extreme conditions of de-gassing, so this data cannot in any way be used to calculate actual exposure to children in a real life scenario".

He concluded: "the data can be regarded as un-necessarily alarmist to consumers".

Planet Fun advised that, as with all toys, it is prudent to purchase Squishies from reputable toy stores, rather than dollar stores or auction sites where product may have been imported directly from factories without testing certificates.

Earlier this year a British girl "suffered chemical burns" after a Squishie burst in her hand.