JAKARTA - The Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) urges parents to be more selective in choosing children's toys to reduce the risk of exposure to microplastics and harmful substances from plastic materials.
The Chairman of the IDAI Central Board, Dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, Sp.A(K), said parents need to pay attention to the ingredients and safety standards of the products used by children.
"Get used to reading content from toys used by our children," said dr. Piprim after a media briefing at the Cultural Center, Jakarta, Monday.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that products have clear safety guarantees from manufacturers, especially for plastic toys.
"Make sure what the security standards are, whether there is a written guarantee of security from the manufacturer," he said.
In addition, he reminded that plastic materials can undergo changes when exposed to high temperatures which have the potential to increase the risk to health.
"If plastic is heated, it can certainly be dangerous," he said.
According to him, parents can also consider using safer and more natural alternative materials for children's toys.
"If possible, children's play tools are made from more natural materials such as wood or clay," he said.
He assessed that Indonesia has great potential to develop natural toy products that are safer for children.
"Indonesia does not lack wood, and there are many other materials such as clay that can be used," he said.
In addition to being safer, the use of natural materials is also considered to encourage children's creativity in playing.
"Don't be afraid of dirty children, because it can stimulate creativity," he said.
He added that innovation from manufacturers is needed to reduce dependence on plastic materials in the manufacture of children's toys.
"We need innovation so that we do not continue to rely on potentially harmful plastic materials," said dr. Piprim.
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