Hundreds of Playhouses Recalled Due to Phthalate Chemical Exposure Concerns

Last month, Health Canada announced the recall of hundreds of playhouses due to chemical exposure concerns. The playhouses, imported from China, have a piece of plastic in the middle of the roof ridge that contains DEHP more than allowable limits (greater than 1000 mg/ kg) per Canada’s Phthalates Regulations. The affected products were sold from August of 2019 to March of this year.

DEHP is a manufactured chemical that is commonly added to plastics to make them flexible. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports DEHP is present in many plastics, especially vinyl materials, which may contain up to 40% DEHP, although lower levels are common. The ATSDR also states it may be present in plastic products such as wall coverings, tablecloths, floor tiles, furniture upholstery, shower curtains, garden hoses, swimming pool liners, rainwear, baby pants, dolls, some toys, shoes, automobile upholstery and tops, packaging film and sheets, sheathing for wire and cable, medical tubing, and blood storage bags.

“DEHP, like many other phthalates, is believed to act as an endocrine disruptor in humans,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This is why the use of DEHP is regulated in so many countries, including the United States and Canada. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 prohibits the use of DEHP in children’s toys at concentrations higher than 0.1 percent in the United States, and in California, DEHP has been classified as a chemical known to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm under the terms of Proposition 65.”

Dedicated to helping manufacturers, importers, retailers, regulatory agencies, and health advocates across North America test for phthalates and other regulated chemicals are the scientists at EMSL Analytical, Inc. These services can be essential for helping companies comply with regulatory requirements.

To learn more about phthalates or other consumer products, environmental, health or safety testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email  info@EMSL.com .


About EMSL Canada, Inc.
EMSL Canada is an internationally recognized provider of environmental, indoor air quality and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Canada, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail