NEW DELHI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- high toxic levels of plastic toys in Indian markets, even the branded ones, cause asthma, lung problems and reproductive problems in children, according to a research by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) on Saturday.

    In its latest study released on Saturday, CSE's pollution monitoring laboratory found high levels of phthalates, a chemical used to soften plastic, in all samples of toys it tested. Over 45 percent of the samples exceeded the internationally accepted safety limits for phthalates.

    "We randomly purchased 24 toys from different parts of Delhi, especially those toys that children are more likely to chew and suck. Out of the 24 toys, 15 were soft and nine others hard," said CSE Associate Director Chandra Bhushan.

    "The sample included major brands like Funskool and Mattel. In our test, we detected one or more phthalates in all toys," he said." In total, 60 percent of soft toys and 20 percent of hard toys exceeded the safe limits."

    Phthalates are organic chemicals commonly used as plasticizers to make plastic supple. It helps in making plastic products cheap and toxic.

    The chemical can damage the male reproductive system, impair lungs and affect the duration of pregnancy. Laboratory tests on mammals have indicated that it can also trigger asthma, allergies, poor semen quality, genital defects, premature breast development and skeletal defects.

    "Children under three years are more likely to be exposed to phthalates because they tend to chew and suck on plastic toys and since their metabolic, endocrine and reproductive systems are immature, they are more vulnerable as well," said CSE director Sunita Narain.

    Narain said India has no regulations to control the use of phthalates in toys.