Lead is banned from children’s toys in the United States and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) continues to find it in toys sold online every year. Lead poisoning has no safe level of exposure in children. Even small amounts cause permanent brain damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, reduced IQ, and hearing loss. The harm is cumulative and irreversible, and most of it happens silently with no obvious symptoms until the damage is already done.
How Lead Gets Into Children’s Toys
Federal law bans more than 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead in paint or surface coatings on any children’s product, and limits total lead content in accessible component parts to no more than 100 ppm. Despite these mandatory limits, CPSC has issued a continuous stream of warnings and enforcement actions against children’s toys from Chinese manufacturers that exceed these limits, particularly products sold through Amazon, Shein, TikTok Shop, and other e-commerce platforms.
In 2026, CPSC issued a warning against Darice “Timeless Minis” miniature red wagons, chairs, and watering cans for violating the federal ban on lead in paint. CPSC routinely finds violative products including painted wooden toys, miniature figures, craft sets, and holiday decorations from online sellers.
Phthalates: The Second Hidden Chemical Hazard
Beyond lead, federal law also prohibits levels of certain phthalates exceeding 0.1 percent in any component part of children’s toys or child care articles that can be placed in a child’s mouth. Phthalates are chemical plasticizers used to make PVC plastic soft and flexible — they are found in soft plastic toys, teethers, bath toys, and toy accessories. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormonal development in young children. CPSC has issued multiple warnings against children’s products with phthalate violations including playpen accessories and toy components.
What You Should Do
- Purchase children’s toys from established retailers and established brands. Be especially cautious with unknown sellers on Amazon, Shein, and TikTok Shop.
- Look for products that include a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) confirming third-party testing compliance with CPSC standards including lead and phthalate limits.
- Avoid brightly painted wooden toys, miniature figures, and toy sets from unverifiable Chinese sellers that may not have been tested.
- Avoid soft plastic toys with a strong chemical smell — this can indicate the presence of phthalates.
- If you suspect a toy may contain lead or illegal chemicals, stop your child from using it and report it to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, visit SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at 800-638-2772.
