Featured:
1. Premium Foam Playmat, Tulum (Bone)
2. High Chair Splat Mat, Spotted (Clay)
3. Premium Foam Playmat, Deco (Latte)
4. High Chair Splat Mat, Wild (Dune)
| The best thing we can do is be informed, and make educated decisions from this information.
Last month, we looked at the different materials used to make childrens playmats - Play mat material choices: The pros and cons - foam, fabric, silicone and rubber to name a few.
When searching Toddlekind’s website you’ll read phrases like: Made with the highest quality PVC or Free from formamide, phthalates, and BPAs.
But what do those words and abbreviations mean, and more importantly, why is it important that it’s not in your child’s play mat?
You may have heard (or read) abbreviations like EVA, BPA, and PVC, but are not entirely sure of what it stands for, how it’s made or if it's something your play mat is made from.
Today, let's explore some of these words, and get familiar with them.
Foam materials
The types of foam materials used to make play mats are Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), Polyurethane material (PU), or Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA). We have previously talked through their pros and cons - Read Here - but what are they?
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Short for polyvinyl chloride, PVC is a solid plastic made softer and more flexible with the addition of many other chemicals. PVC can affect the human body when ingested or through skin contact. It is probably the most toxic plastic for our health and the environment.
What makes PVC dangerous are the chemical additives that can be used by manufacturers: phthalates, vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, lead, cadmium, and organotin. The use of these additives will vary depending on the manufacturer’s country of origin.
Before you ask, yes, Toddlekind’s Splat mats are made from PVC.
However, Toddlekind uses the highest-quality, non-toxic, PVC with water-based UV ink. Our Splat mats are free from phthalates, formaldehyde, and BPAs.
Polyurethane (PU)
Polyurethane is an open-cell foam that allows air to flow.
You might see some brands talking about their memory foam mats and these are likely to be made with PU which creates a softer surface or extreme cushioning.
Soft play tumble mats and shapes, your mattress or the foam you purchase to add a cushion top to your dining chairs will all use PU foam.
PU form cannot be used on its own. It needs to be wrapped with another durable surface.
Toddlekind’s Playrug is made from extra thick (1.4cm) PU foam which is covered with a Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film. TPU film is a non-toxic and environmentally friendly polymer elastomer film with high strength, wear resistance, good elasticity, and environmental protection. It also has non-toxic, recyclable, and decomposable characteristics.
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
EVA stands for Ethylene Vinyl Acetate. It is a soft, rubbery, flexible material used in many products, including baby play mats. But you’ll also find it in other things like carpet underlay, life jackets and running shoes because it is an impact-absorbing material.
EVA is considered a safe material used in toys and children’s play mats.
Depending on the manufacturer's location (country) and processors, there is potential for formamide exposure.
A few years ago, Belgium banned EVA foam but other countries have not followed suit based on their own scientific studies. There is a misconception that France has also banned EVA, however, this is not accurate.
France does allow EVA but has the strictest testing standard across the European Union (EU), and Toddlekind conforms to the French standard in the EU, and US standard for the United States.
Toddlekind’s Prettier and Classic Puzzle playmats are made with the highest quality EVA foam. We test to both US and EU safety standards to ensure that our play mats exceed safety requirements limiting heavy metals, lead, formamide, and phthalates.
We test every year using a CPSC-approved third-party laboratory. We do this to ensure standards and quality remain high. Our test reports are available should you want to know more at hello@toddlekind.com
Formamide
Formamide is a colorless, odorless liquid that is sometimes used by manufacturers when making an EVA product.
Formamide is considered a carcinogen and studies have found at high enough levels it can cause developmental harm.
In its liquid form, it should be avoided because formamide has corrosive properties. During the manufacturing process, formamide evaporates and any traces left behind slowly off-gas over time.
As part of Toddlekind’s product testing and safety processes, Prettier and Classic Puzzle playmats are tested straight from the manufacturer. Formamide should be detected at under 1,000 parts per million (ppm) in the US, and 200ppm in France to be deemed “safe”. Not only do TK's mats exceed testing parameters, but often formamide is not detected as shown below.
