Toxic Lead and Cadmium Found in Tons of Children's Toys Across Ukraine

Hazardous Children's Toys in Ukraine

According to Главком: Ukraine's State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection has identified excessive levels of cadmium and lead, along with other safety violations, in eight (or nine according to the list) different types of children's toys. In 2025, over 20,000 units of unsafe toys were discovered that failed to meet technical regulation standards. Cadmium can cause acute or chronic poisoning, while lead damages a child's nervous system. The agency specifies eight items, though its website lists nine names.

Examples of Dangerous Toys

Among the hazardous toys containing harmful substances, the following stand out:

• A LED mains-powered nightlight with a button (Sphere model), containing 3,480 mg/kg of cadmium (limit: 100 mg/kg) and 882,000 mg/kg of lead (limit: 1,000 mg/kg).
• A bubble-blowing set (blaster and liquid) with 2,890 mg/kg of cadmium and 935,000 mg/kg of lead.
• A children's flying toy (launcher) with 3,260 mg/kg of cadmium and 795,000 mg/kg of lead.
• A toy dog in a carrier with a soft bone, made from highly flammable material.
• A children's stroller that poses a risk of injury or choking.
• Musical toys, such as a baby elephant musical phone (cadmium: 4,060 mg/kg, lead: 825,000 mg/kg) and a musical animal toy (cadmium: 5,630 mg/kg, lead: 907,000 mg/kg).

The State Service urges parents to check packaging for the conformity mark (a trefoil in an unclosed circle), request a declaration of conformity from the seller, avoid products with a strong chemical smell, brittle plastic, or overly bright paint that leaves marks on hands. It is also crucial to ensure the battery compartment is secured with a screw so children cannot open it themselves.

Parents are advised to immediately stop using such toys if found at home and to report any sightings of these products in stores to local offices of the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

This situation highlights the critical need for quality control of children's toys in the Ukrainian market, especially given the potential health risks to children.

Authorities call for greater awareness among parents about the dangers of hazardous materials in toys and for proactive reporting of unsafe products. Such efforts can significantly improve child safety and strengthen oversight of product quality sold in the country.