Potential Health Risks of Rubber Ducks
Lately we are witnessing frequent reports over children's toys containing chemicals and substances which can result serious consequences for our own and our children's health. For that reason people have every right to be concerned over safety of products they are buying, while rubber ducks are not exception either.
Although rubber ducks should be made of rubber they are most often made of vinyl plastic but on first sight there is no reason to get upset over that. However, you will might change your mind when you find out that vinyl plastic also known as Polyvinyl chloride or just PVC often contains additional chemicals such as DEHP (diethylhexyl phthalate) which can be potential endocrine disruptor or hormone disruptor as well as Bisphenol A or commonly abbreviated as BPA which is also often added to plastic products. Besides DEHP and BPA you should be also concerned over phthalates, substances added to plastics to increase their flexibility which are also endocrine disruptors.
In European Union banned plastic products containing some of the chemicals which are representing a potential health risks, while the majority of companies in the United States of America voluntarily stopped producing plastic products with mentioned additives. However, unfortunately such products can be still found on the market including children's toys as well as rubber ducks. Fortunately some companies are well aware of people's concerns and are offering products made of natural materials without controversial additives as well as rubber ducks made of natural rubber.