Camille thanks for bringing this up. I had read the warning about the soft PVC on Winged Wisdom also.

If I am incorrect in my research someone please correct me; but it is my understanding that there are 2 types of PVC.

The hard PVC which is the safe one is actually uPVC (Unplasticized polyvinyl chloride). The soft PVC is like a rubbery vinyl texture (it's been used in the past for children's soft toys) and not one you'd want to use for bird toys or gyms. The soft PVC has Plasticizers that have been added to it to make it pliable. The Plasticizer additive is what can leach out of soft toys into mouths.

Polyvinyl chloride - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I hope someone will have more insight or research information to add to this conversation.

It appears to be Supreme Cotton - it's almost identical to the Grey Feather boings - construction is fabulous. I have found that the less expensive boings tend to unravel and the strings hang down, which can cause a hanging hazard. These seem to just "frizz" when chewed. These are the type that tend to unravel:

Oh okay! Thanks for clarifying that Karen. I had posted some pictures of my PVC gyms elsewhere awhile back, and somebody brought up that it wasn't safe. It's so hard to keep up with what's safe and whats not!

So have we determined that the PVC, such as that which is used in the Kitchen Sink, is okay? I sure hope so. What is supposed to be unsafe about your gym, Camille?

My understanding is that the hard PVC, such as is used in plumbing, is safe. If you sand it to give a rough surface, be sure to clean off any residue, and if you glue the joints together with PVC cement, I wouldn't do it near the birds. Until it dries it has quite a volatile odor.

Just that it was made of PVC.

So, I'm having a hard time understand what this "soft" and unsafe PVC is... I read the link, but I can't picture a baby toy made with PVC...

Here's a photo with two different Kitchen Sinks that I have from Birdtoysetc.

Rocky and Murray love the one on the right. Rico loves the one on the left. The one on the right can hang or re-attach to it's rolling floor stand.

The one on the left cost me around $160. The one on the right with the stand cost around $320. For my purposes and how much my birds like them, well worth the money.

Camille, I understand your confusion and share it. The available information is all very conflicting. Toys that are made from soft PVC are everywhere.

THE SAFETY AND BENEFITS OF PVC TOYS
PVC - Used by toymakers for more than 40 years

Toy makers around the world have been using PVC for more than 40 years to make some of the best known and most popular toys and children's products. Why? Because PVC makes good, safe toys that are durable, easy to clean and are fun for children of all ages!



In addition to its safety record, toymakers also use PVC because of its versatility; it can be easily formulated to be flexible or rigid, or to be virtually any colour of the rainbow. PVC's durability helps toys to withstand even the most rugged play, and parents can appreciate the fact that it can be easily cleaned, helping to keep children safe from germs.

Plasticisers and their use in PVC toys
To make PVC soft and flexible it is necessary to use substances known as plasticisers to make the material pliable.

The most commonly used plasticisers to make PVC soft and flexible are phthalates (pronounced thal-ates). They are a family of chemical substances that have been in use for more than half a century.

Phthalates are used in literally thousands of everyday items, many of which we have come to take for granted as we strive to improve our lifestyles and make everything around us better, safer and more efficient. Indeed, it is thanks to phthalates that we are able to enjoy the benefits of many different types of electrical cables, household items like shower curtains and garden hoses, protective clothing, flooring and even life-saving medical devices.

In all the time that we have benefited from their use there has not been a single known case of anyone ever having been harmed as a result of the use of phthalates. And yet they continue to be a centre of concern about possible effects on our health and the environment, particularly when used in toys.

The use of phthalates in toys and childcare items has been restricted in the European Union since December 1999. From January 17 2007 further restrictions on their use in toys will come into force on a permanent basis.



The PVC Toys Information Centre aims to help you understand more about plasticisers, to provide information on European legislation and to explain why you should treat concerns about health and environmental effects with caution. With these facts we hope you will be able to arrive at your own informed opinion.




PVC Toys Information Centre

Link to toys made from soft PVC.
PVC (Vinyl) Plastic:* an evaluation of safety issues** (Introduction and Home Page)


Some Toys Containing Soft PVC

Fisher-Price, Inc.
Animal Families
Baby Baseball (Polypropylene & PVC)
Dolls with vinyl heads/arms,
legs - Mary Doll, Jenny Doll, Natalie Doll,
Audrey Doll, Baby Ann Doll, Mikey Doll,
Elisabeth Doll, Joey Doll, Honey Doll, My
Friend Mandy Doll, My Friend Jenny Doll,
Becky Doll, Muffy Doll, Billie Doll, Bobbie
Doll.
Push/pull toys: Sunny Fish, Barky, Peter Pig,
Playful Puppy, Allie Gater, Ducky Flip Flap,
Struttin' Donald Duck
The Woodsey's Store (vinyl tree); Dancing
Animals Mobile; Squeaky Bear; Sandy Starfish;
Sam the Clam; Terry Tape; Amusement Park
Little People (vinyl play mat); Baby Activity
Table; Clatterpillar; Surprise Sounds Animals

Gerber Products Co.
Looney Tunes Lovables:
Cooling Ring Teether, Rattle Teether,
Water-filled Soother
Teethers: Gem Collection
Safari Pals
Charms-on-a-Ring
Clear and Soft Pacifiers
Squeeze Toys: Darling Duckie
Peek-A-Pals
Kiddie Kruiser
Dippy Duck Bath Toy

Safety 1st, Inc.
Teethersaurus
Sof' Key Teethers
Earth Care Teether
Sports Fan Teether
Sof' Sport Teether
Interactive Discovery Toy

Hasbro, Inc.
Baby Duckie
Gloworm 5720 (PVC head; nylon body)
Very Soft Baby(PVC head)
Teethe 'n' Toy
Soft Animal Teether Assortment
Disney Babies Squeakin' Pal Assortment
Disney Babies Teethe 'n' Travel 33199, Disney
Babies Hold 'n' Soothe Teether
Darling Animals Teether
Happy L'il Fruits Teether
Soft Walking Wheels

Playskool Baby, Inc.
Subsidiary of Hasbro
Animo Dentition
Funny Face Teether Rattle
Disney Babies Mickey Collection
Teether Album
First Rattle

Kids II
Farm Friends Teething Toys
Musical Teether
Quackin' Tub Toy
Scrub Buddies
Teether Friends 3891(ears are PVC)
Tub Toy

Mattel, Inc
Toy Story Mr Mike
Blue Classic Pooh Dishes 6 piece dinner set,
Classic Pooh Baby Book Collection 1 & 2
Silbiditos Tiger ("Tigger")
Infant Gift Set (star)
Infant Gift Set (head)
Infant Gift Set (squeeze bulb)
Baby Donald Squeak 'n Fun
Squirt 'n Splash Elephant
Lion King
Jungle Friend Babies

Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Dangers of soft PVC toys and vinyl for pet parrots & exotic birds - Birds, Birds, Birds

A lot of these companies have now eliminated the use of soft PVC in their toys.

Safety 1st, Inc. stopped using PVC for infant teethers over a year ago, according to consumer relations staffer Patricia Andrews (phone call, 1/2/01).

I believe Gerber has also stopped using it, but I don't have documentation to back up my statement.

Usually toys are NOT labelled as PVC or ‘vinyl’, or marked with the PVC symbol ("3" in the "re-cycle triangle"). Concerned consumers should ask the retailer or the manufacturer to confirm whether a toy is made of PVC or not.

Wow....Ollie has some toys that look similar to those. Apparently I need to stop shopping in the human kids toy section!

Have you found toys yet Karen?