Centaury Harjani, Dwi Aditiyarini, Vinsa Cantya Prakasita

COMPARATIVE pH ANALYSIS: HOMEMADE COLD CLAY VERSUS COMMERCIAL CLAY FOR CHILD SAFETY

Introduction

Comparative ph analysis: homemade cold clay versus commercial clay for child safety. Compare homemade vs. commercial cold clay pH for child safety. Homemade (acidic, pH 4.75) is safer for skin; commercial (neutral) offers stability but environmental concerns.

Abstract

Cold clay, as a non-baking children's play medium, needs to be assessed for its chemical and physical safety, particularly its pH parameters, to ensure safety for children's skin and environmental sustainability. This study aims to characterize the pH of cold clay by comparing homemade and manufactured products. A total of six samples were tested: one homemade (based on polyvinyl acetate, cornstarch, and additives) and five manufactured, colorful ones. The pH measurements were performed using a digital pH meter with three replications, then statistically analyzed using an independent t-test. The results showed a highly significant difference (p < 0.001) between the two groups. Homemade samples had an average pH of 4.75 ± 0.06 (acidic), while manufactured samples ranged from 7.16–7.53 (neutral to slightly alkaline). From a dermatological perspective, homemade pH, which is closer to the natural pH of children's skin (~5.5), is considered safer for long-term contact because it does not disrupt the acid mantle. In contrast, the neutral pH of manufactured products showed better chemical stability but potentially poses challenges in waste management. These findings emphasize the importance of pH characterization in selecting safe materials for the intended application. The study recommends consideration of pH parameters for parents, educators, and industry, as well as the need for further studies on toxicity and environmental impacts to ensure overall safety.

Review

This study presents a timely and relevant investigation into the pH characteristics of children's play clay, comparing homemade and commercial variants to address critical child safety and environmental sustainability concerns. The core objective, to characterize and compare the pH profiles of these two clay types, is clearly stated and directly supports the broader aim of ensuring safe play materials for children. The research highlights an often-overlooked aspect of children's products—their chemical interaction with sensitive skin—and provides valuable initial insights that can inform parents, educators, and manufacturers. The methodology employed a straightforward and appropriate approach, utilizing a digital pH meter with three replications per sample and an independent t-test for statistical analysis, which robustly demonstrated a significant difference between the groups. The study tested one homemade sample (polyvinyl acetate, cornstarch based) and five diverse manufactured samples. Key findings revealed that the homemade clay was notably acidic (pH 4.75 ± 0.06), while commercial clays were consistently neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 7.16–7.53). The interpretation of these results is particularly compelling from a dermatological perspective, suggesting that the acidic pH of homemade clay might be safer for children's skin due to its proximity to the natural acid mantle, potentially reducing irritation during prolonged contact. While the study offers important foundational data, there are areas for further development. The most significant limitation is the small sample size for homemade clay (n=1), which may not capture the variability inherent in homemade recipes. Future research would benefit from testing a wider range of homemade formulations and commercial brands to enhance the generalizability of findings. The abstract also touches upon the "environmental sustainability" of manufactured products, noting better chemical stability but potential challenges in waste management, which merits deeper exploration beyond just pH. Despite these limitations, the study successfully underscores the critical role of pH characterization in material selection for children's products and provides a strong recommendation for continued research into toxicity and comprehensive environmental impacts to ensure holistic safety.

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