Determination of Different Trace Heavy Metals in Children’s Plastic Toys Imported to the West Bank/Palestine by ICP/MS-Environmental and Health Aspects

Mutaz Al-Qutob^1,2*, Ahmad Asafra², Tharwat Nashashibi², Ahmad A. Qutob³

¹Department of Earth and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science and Technology, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem.
²Aquatic and Aquaculture Research Laboratory, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem.
³Department of Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2014.512108                

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to assess the quality of inexpensive plastic toys imported to Palestinian Markets. The content of heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Hg, As, Se, Ba, and Zn) was analyzed in 50 plastic toys purchased from local markets in Palestine and 17 plastic toys purchased from Israeli markets for comparison. After the digestion of samples with concentrated nitric acids and hydrogen peroxide using a microwave digester, the concentrations of the selected heavy metals were determined by ICP-MS Agilent 7500 in Al-Quds University. Results revealed that 40% of the Palestinian toy samples had high concentration (above international limits) of Pb, 30% of Cd, 34% of Cr, 6% of Hg, 42% of As, 32% of Se, 20% of Ba, and 40% of Zn. On the other hand, 95% of the Israeli samples were safe, and their concentrations were less than the maximum internationally allowable limits. In the same context, ten toy samples (2.5 gm each) had been crushed and dipped for 8 hours in a solution of artificial saliva. The solution was acidified and tested for heavy metal concentrations, but none of the migration concentrations exceeded the international maximum allowable limit. High levels of heavy metal concentrations, found in the plastic toys from the Palestinian markets could form a health hazard to children and put their lives at risk. It could be also an indirect source for environmental pollution.

Keywords

Plastic Toys, Heavy Metals Content, Palestinian Markets, Israeli Markets

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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