Polymer Clays

Clays are very popular in the home, schools, and day-care centres. They are popular because children love to mould, sculpt and squish clay. And polymer clay is the most widely used clay because they feel like clay and stay soft at room temperature.; They can also be hardened in the kitchen oven instead of having to use a high-temperature kiln. That is, they are easier to use and store than natural clay.

Polymer clays are a mix of PVC and phthalates. PVC is considered the most toxic plastic releasing dioxin, a potent carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. Phthalates, as discussed above, are associated with a diversity of negative health impacts including reproductive defects, birth deformities, liver and thyroid damage, neurological impacts as well as miscarriages.

When playing with polymer clays children take up toxins through inhalation, and ingestion. Inhalation occurs during normal moulding, sculpting and squishing, but is dangerously increased during heating. Ingestion occurs through the skin of the hands, and for very young children who put the clay into their mouths, directly into their digestive system.

In our normal environments children are exposed to dioxin and phthalate toxin from multiple sources. Increasing this by direct contact with polymer clays, dramatically increases the toxic loads our children's bodies have to deal with. Natural clays and non-toxic home-made clays are available and represent little risk of toxic exposure or environmental degradation.