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Information requested on Balsa

saroj12

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I'd like to ask our toy and toy parts vendors to please let us know what chemicals are used to treat their balsa. I've been informed all balsa entering the US is by law required to be treated. One source I have documented proof from, and they use aluminum phosphide as a fumigant. This chemical is used to fumigate stored food grains in silos BUT it is also used to kill rodents :eek:. The latter snippet of info was not available on the internet two years ago.
Another source informed me their balsa is treated with formaldehyde.
Appreciate whatever info you can find for us :)
thanks.
 

birdsafe

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Saroj -- I checked into getting bulk balsa from a wholesaler and was informed that, yes, all balsa coming into the country (and it all comes from overseas) is treated with formaldehyde -- they claimed that the outer part is cut off before being used for toys and such and that makes it safe. I opted not to use it because I'm not sure how deep that treatment goes. Since I am able to get yucca from this country, and it's nearly identical composition of wood, I didn't see the need to possibly expose birds to any additional hazard.
 

Deejo

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My understanding is that balsa trees grow in South America.
It's harvested & then kiln dried....period.
This is what we were told years ago, at a craft store. They assured us that the wood was not treated.

I will be very interested to see more replies from toy companies here.
Timely topic...Rosie toy order came today with several balsa toys.

 

saroj12

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I threw out over 200.00 in bulk balsa last week. Mine was treated with the supposedly foodsafe aluminum phosphide but the wiki entry now says it kills moles too. I heard about it on NPR last week and so looked it up again. Two years ago there was no mention of killing rats on the internet that i could find, just that it was widely used in the food industry when i chose to use it rather heavily:(
and a chemist friend okayed it.
 

saroj12

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Doris,
I too have some gorgeous Rosie TOys balsa toys in my toy stash. I would LOVE to hear that it is not treated in Canada. In the US it is an indisputable fact.
 
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Thugluvgrl187

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Wow I didn't know this! Thanks for the info.
 

Deejo

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Doris,
I too have some gorgeous Rosie TOys balsa toys in my toy stash. I would LOVE to hear that it is not treated in Canada. In the US it is an undisputable fact.
I hope our toy vendors can clarify this.
Saemma? if you're reading, what does Rosie Toys say about this?
If it's treated with *anything* it's too risky for our birds.

 

Saemma

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I sent Jacqueline an email. I will let post on here when she responds.:D
 

birdlover82

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Oh my.:eek: Glad I just introduced Pretty to it so it won't be too hard breaking her of it.
 

saroj12

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I hope our toy vendors can clarify this.
Saemma? if you're reading, what does Rosie Toys say about this?
If it's treated with *anything* it's too risky for our birds.
oops i meant to type indisputable not undisputable :hehe:
 

Saemma

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So far Jacqueline has informed me that Rosie Toy Balsa is purchased in Canada. I have asked her if she would be able to find out how it is treated before she purchases it.
 

calibird

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I have contacted my supplier and am waiting to hear back from them on the exact process. In the meantime I have removed all inventory of balsa from my website.
 

magni

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wow this is good to know:) Thank you:hug8:
 

Deejo

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So far Jacqueline has informed me that Rosie Toy Balsa is purchased in Canada. I have asked her if she would be able to find out how it is treated before she purchases it.
This will be interesting to hear.
Since all balsa comes from the same part of the world, I will assume it's all processed the same way....if you buy it in Canada or the US, I can't see there being 2 different protocols for prepping the wood.
Crossing my fingers that I'm wrong, and Rosie toys can be enjoyed by our birds for a long, long time!
 

Deejo

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I have contacted my supplier and am waiting to hear back from them on the exact process. In the meantime I have removed all inventory of balsa from my website.
Kudos to you Anne!
I hope other companies follow suit.
Good for you.
 

Barbi

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This is the standard we use: We don't sell balsa products because it is imported by licensed importers. It is our understanding through customs that they must accompany all imported woods with a "certificate of fumigation". Therefore, in our opinion, that renders it useless for exotics.
 
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