7 answers

C.S. asks from Jefferson City, MO on June 29, 2011

Formeldahyde in Toddler Puzzles

Is anyone worried about formeldahyde being in toddler puzzles? Most wood puzzles are made out of plywood or pressed wood and according to an article in the New York Times this month they both contain "worrisome quantities" of formeldahyde (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/health/11cancer.html). I'm most concerned about my son putting these in his mouth absorbing formeldahyde and whatever other chemicals may be in it...I'm playing it safe and only buying REAL wood puzzles since I figure it's not worth the risk. Is anyone else worried? Has anyone heard anything about the safety aspect of plywood/pressed wood with kids since the government came out with its cancer warning?

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So What Happened?™

Thanks for everyone's input...it brought up lots of interesting questions. By the way, I looked into the Melissa & Doug puzzles as recommended and every single one I looked at (and I looked at a LOT) were either made from plywood or pressed wood - so these are exactly the type of puzzles I'm concerned about containing formeldahyde.

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T.N. answers from Albany on June 29, 2011

Here's a news flash, every stitch of clothing you buy in any store has been treated with formaldehyde to keep bugs off it during the shipping process.

So yeah, do a little more googling, and make a common sense decision!

:)

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S.W. answers from Minneapolis on June 29, 2011

From this article, it sounds like you might want to be more concerned about the levels in your house.

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formalde.html

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M.A. answers from Charleston on June 29, 2011

...and don't even google the treated lumber used for decks!

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M.M. answers from Minneapolis on June 29, 2011

Yes! I work in a child care facility and I am constantly worried about all the toys, games, puzzles and books we have there. I am constantly taking things away from the teething babies. Why does everything have to be made in China anyway?!!! We never had this problem 20-25 years ago with formaldehyde, lead, mercury and God only knows what else they're poisoning our things with.

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S.O. answers from Oklahoma City on June 29, 2011

Formaldehyde is also in vaccines

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A.H. answers from Chicago on June 29, 2011

Just buy Melissa & Doug puzzles and you won't have anything to worry about (at least with puzzles!).

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J.L. answers from Chicago on June 30, 2011

Formaldehyde is in so many things, toys, clothes, glue, furniture. I certainly try to minimize my children's exposure to as many toxins as possible. Fortunately, there are many alternatives and companies that make safer items for our children and our homes.

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