gas
The virtues of non-toxic sex toys
Thursday, May 14th, 2009 | Lifestyle, Product Reviews, Sex Toys | No Comments
Birds do it. Bees do it. But when we do it, sometimes we ask Mother Nature for a little help – in the form of sexual aids. But who is looking out for the users’ health?
“Sex toys are largely unregulated. They are recognized as `novelty’ products so they are not intended for use,” says Kim Sedgwick, co-owner of Ecosex.ca, Canada’s first online green sex store. “The fact that nobody is looking out for people to make sure these products are safe and healthy to use was a real eye opener for me.”
The idea for Ecosex.ca started last year when Kim, 25, was opening up boxes with her sister and co-owner, Amy Sedgwick, 30, for their store Red Tent Sisters, a sexual health and reproductive store for women on the Danforth. As they received stock, they became overwhelmed by the foul odours coming from the boxes.
“We did some research and realized that phthalates were causing the smell. The gas was actually being released from the toys packed in the boxes,” Kim says of the toxic and leaching chemical banned from children’s toys in Canada but not adults’ toys. “We quickly phased that out and were more cautious and aware about what we brought into the store.”
After scouring the Internet for more environmentally friendly and healthier sex toys and supplies, Kim and Amy realized the lack of information available on the subject and decided that Ecosex.ca was an idea they wanted to pursue. An online store would be a perfect way to make shy shoppers comfortable buying healthy sex toys and also educate a greater audience.