I know this is probably totally stupid, but I was just thinking:

Most of the 3P TFs are made in Chinese factories with presumably little to no oversight as these toys are not regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Are we playing with lead or who knows what else? I totally get that these are "adult collectibles" but choking on something may be the least of our concern.

I'm not freaking out nor am I trying to get anyone else to freak out, just a random thought I had the other idea talking to a TF buddy about him letting his kid play with his 3P TFs.

 

No more than official Hasbro/Takara-Tomy toys, which are also manufactured in factories in China (and Vietnam in the case of MP-10), by my estimate. The safety laws pertain more to choking on small parts and toys shattering as a result from drop tests, I surmise (so if the kid is going to eat/chew/swallow small parts, that's a no go).

But speaking as somewhat of a clean neat freak collector, I tend to wash my hands both before and after handling my figures, if that helps with toxicity issues. Strapping on rubber gloves is probably taking things a bit too far though (unless you're dealing with vintage). XD

 

I haven't licked mine yet, so I'm not too sure.

 

I honestly don't plan on eating any of them, so I am safe.

 

it is something that others have considered before. I think it's a good point. But, unfortunately, the lack of oversight means that we'll never know how ok or how bad it is with chemical residues, toxic paints. The hasbro/mattel toys are under much higher scrutiny, but even so, mattel had its issues with toxic toys from China not too long ago and there are always reports of BPAs and even toxic heavy metals in paints and chrome from imported toys (like toxic cadmium in little kids' play jewelry).

It's not a worry-for-nothing, but unfortunately a risk that comes with the hobby. We hope that the 3P Chinese companies have some ethics and aren't just focused on putting out the product as quickly and cheaply as possible. But, when there's no governing eye and no regulations, someone is bound to cross the line at some point in time.

Washing hands after handling is the least that collectors can do (those who are safety/health conscious), but even some of the known chemical contaminants can absorb through skin, such as BPAs.

btw, Oxidative, it sounds like maybe you have some background in chemistry?

 

Probably far safer than the toys we had as a kid. As a kid I had a maze game that had real mercury in it. My grandfather had a chemisty set with uranium dust and sodium cyanide!

 

YOLO?  


but seriously, we all hope that the 3P companies think about health and safety of their fanbase too.

 

wtf

Then again, I did hear some disgusting stories on products that were made by 'recycled' products produced in China. I would like to think that it wouldn't be the case here.

 

I bit dump truck's drills from yellow giant trying to seperate them, and I'm still alive.

 

Yes they probably are but Im willing to risk it though. So feel free to send your toys to me to protect yourselves.  

 

I have and I haven't died yet. 

 

Yes our human energon is being sucked right out of us ......................slowly.  

 

We should test this, for science!

 

Yes, highly toxic. Send all of your transformers to me for proper disposal.

 

I actually think they are made better and since they reap so much more of the profits, they want the repeat business so I think they wouldn't cut corners with something toxic. As far as small parts go, well they say ages 15+. I wouldn't give a baby a lego expert set to play with. Hasbro toys feel like duplo to me. As an adult, I would like something that feels more like a working model than a toy and that's how 3p feels to me.

 

If you or I want to be worried at all, it'd be more about my Official MP's than the 3rd party ones. If they aren't chipping paint all over me (who knows how healthy THAT is), their chrome goes away when you touch it over time. Where is it going? Into my skin?

I don't have that issue with 3rd party stuff from regular handling.

 

No, but the community surrounding them is.

 

We simply don't know. I also tend to wash my hands afterward as well, and before if they're not already clean.

Safer doesn't mean safe i.e., not dangerous.

That makes no sense because, 1, essentially nobody is going to check and, 2, they're a much smaller firm trying to produce a product that can compete with an official product so cheaper materials and less rigorous processes are practically a given.

You might want to educate yourself on chemical and contaminant absorption vectors.

@JetBrawn seems like he could clue you in.

 

Um.... Wow. Through out all my years of collecting and playing with transformers and other toys, not once have this ever crossed my mind. You guys are making me paranoid now lmao.

 

I don't really care. If the booze, drugs, and random other shit doesn't kill me first, I've already survived longer than I should.