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About toys containing dangerous materials

Toys can contain lead and other elements that are harmful to children.

Elements that can seriously injure children if absorbed or swallowed are:

  • lead
  • antimony
  • arsenic
  • barium
  • boron
  • cadmium
  • chromium
  • mercury
  • selenium.

Products that can contain lead and other dangerous materials include:

  • children’s toys
  • finger paints
  • paint used on toys
  • modelling clays, slimes and putties.

It is important that toys are free of lead and other dangerous materials that may harm children. 

Risks and injuries from the product

Call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126 if your children become sick after placing toys in their mouths or after playing with finger paints.

Children are at risk of suffering significant or permanent damage to their physical and mental health through exposure to hazardous elements.

Children can absorb up to 60% of the lead they’re exposed to. Some children have died.

Children may suffer serious health problems from poisoning including permanent brain and developmental disorders.

Things to look for when buying the product

Some serious injuries have happened to children playing with toys that contain lead. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.

Only buy toys that comply with the toys containing lead and other elements mandatory standard.

The mandatory standard excludes:

  • bicycles
  • camping goods
  • electronic game units
  • fashion jewellery for children
  • home and public playground equipment
  • models powered by combustion or steam engines
  • sporting goods
  • trampolines.
  • Look for toys and paints that are labelled as non-toxic.
  • Look for toys and paints that are made from natural materials.
  • Be careful with old vintage toys that may have used lead or other dangerous elements.
  • Be careful buying from international websites, as other countries may not have laws around using lead in children’s products.

How to use the product safely

To keep your children safe, make sure you:

  • always supervise babies and toddlers to make sure they do not put toys in their mouths (they like to explore by sucking, mouthing and chewing on toys)
  • always supervise children when they play with finger paints to make sure they don’t swallow any of the paint
  • always thoroughly wash finger paint off children and their clothes to make sure they don’t absorb it
  • wash their skin thoroughly if applying products to their skin (such as make-up, face and body paints) or it leaves residues (such as play dough and slime).

Next steps if a product is unsafe

When buying a product, consumers have the right to expect the product is of acceptable quality.

Acceptable quality includes that the product is safe, durable and free from defects.

If you bought a product that doesn’t comply with a mandatory standard or is unsafe, you can report it to us.

Report an unsafe product

If a person is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

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