Some users online have shared that after assembling a particular brand of figurine they purchased, their hands started to feel a stinging pain, became red and swollen, and even developed skin lesions, forcing them to seek medical attention. They suspects that the figurine’s components contain fiberglass. But is fiberglass really that dangerous? We’ll get into that later. In the meantime, let’s take this opportunity to share some knowledge about toy materials.

Just a quick disclaimer: I’m not an expert in materials science, so if there are any inaccuracies, I welcome corrections!

Plastic Toys

In the world of toys, plastic is the most commonly used material.

As a material with both praise and criticism, some people see it as a revolutionary force in industrial manufacturing and daily life, while others associate it with being a harmful chemical substance. However, with advancements in technology, plastics have been subdivided into numerous types, and many of the plastics used in toy manufacturing now feature health-conscious and environmentally friendly properties.

ABS

ABS – composed of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene – is a plastic known for its high hardness and toughness, excellent dimensional stability, high precision in finished products, ease of coloring, resistance to high and low temperatures, and durability against wear and impact. LEGO bricks, for example, widely use ABS plastic due to these properties. (LEGO also uses other types of materials for specific applications.)

However, this material comes at a high cost. Producing just one kilogram of ABS requires approximately two kilograms of petroleum, making it a choice that only brands with substantial resources can afford. LEGO Group, for instance, is actively seeking alternatives to replace ABS due to its energy-intensive production process. Additionally, ABS is not UV-resistant; prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause it to fade and become brittle, making it unsuitable for long-term outdoor use.

PVC

PVC – polyvinyl chloride – is a lightweight material known for its heat insulation, thermal preservation, moisture resistance, flame retardancy, and ease of processing. Combined with its low cost, PVC has become one of the most widely used materials in plastic toys.

However, PVC has relatively weak resistance to high temperatures and UV rays. Exposure to higher temperatures can cause toys to discolor, while prolonged sunlight exposure can make them brittle over time.

It’s worth mentioning that PVC can be blended with ABS to create a new material that combines the durability of ABS with the cost-effectiveness of PVC. This hybrid material is currently used by many brands for mass-producing trendy blind box collectibles.

PP

PP – polypropylene plastic – is a non-toxic, odorless material that can withstand immersion in boiling water at 100°C without deforming or degrading. It is also highly resistant to common acids, bases, and organic solvents.

Because of these properties, it is often used to make rattles, teething toys, and other toys designed for young children that may be put in their mouths. However, under high-temperature conditions, polypropylene softens, burns, and can release toxic gases such as carbon monoxide. Therefore, it should always be kept away from open flames.

PE/EVA

PE/EVA – These two materials are commonly used in products like baby play mats. PE (polyethylene) has better cold resistance but is more flammable. EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) is less flammable and more resistant to dirt. However, during production, recycled materials are often used, and toxic additives may sometimes be included in the manufacturing process.

TPR

TPR – thermoplastic rubber – is essentially an extension of soft PVC resin, compressed to form a rubber-like material. It is safe and non-toxic, making it suitable for toys like balls or teething rings. However, it doesn’t have high temperature resistance and should not be boiled in hot water.

Si-TPV

Si-TPV – This is a new material made by combining silicone with plastic, and it is an eco-friendly foam plastic that has been introduced in recent years. It is not only non-toxic and odorless but also 100% recyclable.

Some of the phone cases we use are made from this material, and many toy products are beginning to incorporate it as well. However, Si-TPV is relatively expensive to produce, difficult to process and has poor resistance to extreme high and low temperatures.

EPP

EPP – Expanded polypropylene – is an eco-friendly plastic with excellent heat resistance and low-temperature cushioning properties.

Due to its strong and durable nature, it doesn’t fatigue with repeated use, making it ideal for products like foam airplanes or large building blocks for children’s castles. However, it may crack under heavy impact, and its production cost is relatively high.

PC

PC – polycarbonate – is a widely used plastic material, commonly found in items like baby bottles and space cups.

However, it has received criticism because it can release bisphenol A (BPA), a substance that is harmful to human health when exposed to high temperatures. As a result, this material should not be heated or exposed to direct sunlight.

Wooden Toys

Before the invention of plastic, wood was the material of choice for most toys due to its strong plasticity and durability. In fact, LEGO originally built its brand reputation with various wooden toys.

As a natural, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly material, wooden toys are still widely appreciated today. However, some low-quality products may use adhesives, flame retardants, or other chemicals that contain harmful substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and formaldehyde. Therefore, it’s important to be cautious when purchasing wooden toys.

Beech Wood

Beech wood – In the world of toy manufacturing, beech wood holds the highest regard. Its natural appearance, superior physical properties, and excellent workability make it a premium choice for wooden toys.

During the early days of LEGO, when funds were tight, the company still insisted on using beech wood for its wooden toys. Today, many renowned wooden toy brands, such as Sweden’s BRIO, Germany’s HABA and HEROS, and China’s MuWan Family, continue to use beech wood as a key material in their products.

However, beech wood is relatively expensive and requires specialized tools and craftsmanship for processing. It is also prone to cracking and warping in humid environments, so proper care and protection are needed to extend its lifespan.

Basswood

Basswood – This wood is widely used in toy production, with many common items like bead mazes and baby walkers primarily made from linden wood.

It is not only durable, corrosion-resistant, and fire-retardant, but also has a naturally beautiful grain, making it an ideal material for toys. While it is slightly less expensive than beech wood, its hardness does increase manufacturing costs. Additionally, linden wood has poor resistance to insects, so improper storage can lead to damage from pests.

Linden wood

Linden wood – This wood is abundant in northeastern China and Russia, where it is commonly used to make the famous Russian nesting dolls (matryoshka).

Linden wood is highly flexible, durable, corrosion-resistant, and less prone to cracking, making it easy to work with. However, it is sensitive to moisture, has poor resistance to steam bending, and is not ideal for crafting toys with complex shapes.

Pine Wood

Pine wood – This wood is inexpensive and suitable for mass production, but it is prone to moisture, pest damage, and imperfections like knots, which can affect its appearance.

As a result, pine is typically used as a secondary material or for specific parts in toy manufacturing, rather than as the main material for the entire toy.

Birch Wood

Birch wood – Known for its high compressive and bending strength, birch wood products are extremely durable. Additionally, its fine grain and light yellow or white color give it a warm, clean appearance.

As a fast-growing tree species, birch is also relatively cost-effective. However, it is sensitive to changes in humidity, which can cause it to warp or crack, so proper storage is necessary to maintain its quality.

Metal Toys

Metal has a beautiful shine and solid texture, and toys made from metal have a unique quality in both their lines and feel that can’t be matched by other materials.

While processes like stamping, casting, and welding can be more expensive, the malleability of metal allows for greater precision in models and figurines, resulting in better detail and accuracy. However, the relative heaviness of metal, along with its tendency to expand and contract with temperature changes and its susceptibility to rust, means it can’t be widely used across all toy categories.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel – Stainless steel is known for its high strength and corrosion resistance. It’s durable, resistant to rust and breakage, and has a smooth surface that resists dirt, making it ideal for making toys like car models and hand bells that need to withstand heavy play.

However, stainless steel is expensive in terms of both material and manufacturing processes. Additionally, its appearance tends to have a cold, industrial feel, lacking the warmth that other materials might offer.

Aluminum alloy

Aluminum alloy – Aluminum alloy offers high strength and corrosion resistance, but it’s also lighter than other metals, making it ideal for producing toys like figures, animals, and vehicles.

However, its manufacturing costs are relatively high, and since aluminum alloys contain heavy metals, surface treatments like painting and plating may leave behind toxic substances.

Zinc Alloy

Zinc alloy – Zinc alloy has excellent casting properties and can be die-cast into complex, thin-walled precision parts, making it ideal for creating toys in various shapes. It also supports a range of surface treatments, enhancing the toy’s appearance.

The well-known toy car brand, Matchbox, extensively uses zinc alloy in its models. However, zinc alloy is not very corrosion-resistant, and if it contains high levels of aluminum or copper, it can be prone to rusting and paint chipping. Additionally, there are significant performance differences between different grades of zinc alloy. For example, grade 3 and grade 5 alloys are stronger, while grade 4 alloy is more prone to cracking.

Alloy

Alloy – Alloy materials aren’t as hard as other metals, but they can be die-cast into complex shapes, making them ideal for toys like mecha figures. However, toys made from alloys tend to be more expensive, and their painted surfaces and heavier weight may not be suitable for younger children.

Other Materials

PU Resin

PU Resin – Known as polyurethane, PU resin offers better stability, durability, and resilience compared to plastics like PVC. It has a pleasant feel, and excellent detail retention, and is ideal for creating figurines.

However, PU resin is relatively expensive and is typically used for small-scale production by artists. The finished products are also fragile, requiring careful packaging during transport.

Soft vinyl

Soft vinyl – This material is flexible and elastic, bouncing back quickly after being pressed. It’s easy to color and shape, and in Japan during the last century, it was widely used to make monster toys.

You can also find soft vinyl in everyday items, such as soft rubber coasters and fridge magnets.

Polyresin

Polyresin – Often referred to as artificial stone, polyresin has a texture similar to real stone, but it is primarily made of resin, aluminum powder, and other materials.

Polyresin is inexpensive, offers good hardness and heat resistance, and is commonly used to make anime figurines or statues. However, it is difficult to process, and the finished products are relatively brittle and prone to breakage.

The materials listed above are some of the most common in toy manufacturing. However, with increasing concern for the health and well-being of consumers, many well-known toy brands are continuously exploring more eco-friendly and sustainable materials.

The Development of LEGO Brick Materials

Since 2020, the LEGO Group has been working on replacing petroleum-based plastics with sustainable, “non-oil-based” materials for their bricks. However, LEGO has strict standards for factors like color, gloss, and the sound made when bricks snap together. Meeting these requirements while ensuring the materials are more eco-friendly and resource-efficient is no easy task.

To date, LEGO has tested over 600 different materials, with the proportion of recycled and bio-based materials steadily increasing. The company plans to fully replace petroleum-based plastics with new materials by 2030.

What is Fiberglass?

Returning to the incident mentioned at the beginning, what exactly is fiberglass?

Fiberglass is an inorganic, non-metallic material with excellent performance. It is made by melting six types of raw minerals—such as talc, quartz sand, limestone, dolomite, borocalcite, and boromagnesite—at high temperatures, then drawing, twisting, and weaving them into fibers. The diameter of a single fiber can be as small as a few micrometers. Due to its strong insulation, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, fiberglass has a wide range of industrial applications.

Despite its many useful properties, fiberglass is often referred to as a “dangerous invention” by many. Due to its tiny, nearly invisible fibers and non-degradable nature, prolonged contact without protective equipment can cause damage to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system. In fact, fiberglass is even listed as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a branch of the World Health Organization.

When fiberglass comes into contact with the skin, it can cause a sharp, pinprick-like pain. If this happens, it’s important to quickly clean the affected area. Visible fibers can be gently removed with tweezers or by using medical adhesive tape to pull them off. If the problem persists, it’s crucial to seek medical attention to prevent these tiny, transparent fibers from embedding deeper into the skin or causing an infection.

Finally, a friendly reminder: when purchasing toy figurines or models, always buy from legitimate sources and trusted brands to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights.

JMBricklayer is a brand that specializes in selling Lego-compatible building block sets for ages 14 and up. Whether you are a novice, an enthusiast, a seasoned player, a reviewer, or a MOC designer, our doors are open for you!

Use coupon code A4XVY6VK to save 15% on all non-sale Items.