This natural rubber bath toy is made by a company called Begin Again. It appears to be made of a single molded piece. There is a drainage hole at the base. How do you think our rubber bath toy tested with XRF?
Reading on the rubber:
| Element of Interest | Parts per million (ppm) | Error Range |
|---|---|---|
| Antimony | 23 | +/- 11 |
| Other Elements | ||
| Barium (Ba) | 213 | +/- 58 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 3,637 | +/- 26 |
| Titanium (Ti) | 1,047 | +/- 134 |
| Bromine (Br)* | 4 | +/- 2 |
| Iron (Fe) | 51 | +/- 10 |
All samples were tested in consumer goods TestAll mode using a Niton XL3t 700S for 60 seconds. Results are rounded to the nearest whole number.
How did this item perform compared to lead limits for kid’s products?
The item is non-detect for lead, cadmium, mercury, and arsenic.
The item is a new children’s product and is required to abide by all applicable regulations.
Trace antimony was detected. Please note that total antimony content is not regulated at the federal level in toys sold in the United States.
Leach testing for antimony is required for some toys. Products likely to be mouthed by children under 6 are subject to ASTM chemical testing standards which require surface coatings and substrates to be leach tested for antimony and seven other elements, including barium. We have an article about those standards.
After speaking with staff at the Consumer Product Safety Commission, our understanding is that this kind of toy is likely subject to the requirements.
We provide our XRF readings so parents can make their own decisions about which products are appropriate for their kids. We use and enjoy this toy in our home.
Thanks to the federal government regulating this type of product for safety and public welfare, we do not generally have a concern with lead in toys produced 2011 or newer. Our primary concern is with vintage and antique toys which can use cadmium and lead as either colorants or as a plasticizer. We also generally avoid new PVC toys for reasons other than lead.
We Prefer:
We prefer toys sourced from non-toxic materials that are newer and compliant with all regulations. We think natural rubber toys are a great option for the bath provided you can clean them and let them dry so mold does not form.
Rubber bath toys offer advantages over toys made with PVC, which is considered by many to be a toxic plastic and which may contain undesirable plasticizers to keep the product supple.
Where You Can Buy Better Products:
Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. By shopping for any item on Amazon starting with our links, you help support our business and testing.
The original item we tested is available from BeginAgain here. Unfortunately, we do not see it on Amazon. Here are other great bath toy options for kids.
Why we like it: Here is a natural rubber toy that uses plant-based colorants from HEVEA.
Why we like it: HEVEA strikes again with a cute traditional rubber duck that’s PVC free.
Why we like it: This American company uses recycled milk jugs to make a host of delightful children’s products that perform well in the bath.
Disclaimer: Our recommendations have not always been personally tested by us but are likely to be lead free or low lead and/or cadmium based on our research into the materials, discussions with manufacturers, and/or testing on similar products.
We provide our XRF testing for general educational or informational purposes only to help consumers identify low lead and lead-free products. We hereby disclaim any and all warranties, expressed or implied, and assume no duty or responsibility with respect to how any person or entity chooses to use the information on this website.