Lawmaker Warns Popular Squishies Pose Cancer Risk To Children

Democrat Party list MP Radchalai Intavong Suvankeeri has spoken out about the dangers of squishy toys, which are currently popular among children and teenagers. She warned that consumers today risk not just their money but their health, with children being the most vulnerable. Although the toys appear harmless on the surface, their porous foam easily accumulates dust and disease-causing microbes. Multiple countries have detected hazardous chemicals in these toys, including phthalates and volatile organic compounds, which can damage the respiratory system, liver, kidneys, and child development while increasing cancer risk. "Cute-looking toys can become devil toys without rigorous safety standard inspections, because when these products slip onto the market, it is children and their families who bear the risk," Intavong said. She questioned whether the Consumer Council plans to escalate from merely receiving complaints to pushing for product safety standards in the digital age, and proposed that cross-border e-commerce platforms be held accountable to consumers and businesses, while coordinating with the Industrial Products Standards Office and the Food and Drug Administration to increase inspections of imported goods, especially those for children and youth.