7 Items Commonly Sold in the ’80s That Are Now Banned or Restricted
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The 1980s were a time of bold consumerism, where vibrant products filled shelves, and the boundaries of marketing and manufacturing seemed limitless. With few regulations, consumers had access to a wide range of goods, many of which we now know posed significant health, safety, and environmental risks.
Fast forward to today, and much of what was once mainstream has either been banned or heavily restricted. This shift was spurred by the realization that certain products, once ubiquitous, had profound negative effects on health and the environment.
Lawn Darts (Jarts)
Lawn darts, also known as Jarts, were a popular backyard game in the ’80s. These metal-tipped darts, intended for ground targets, were incredibly dangerous. Between 1978 and 1987, over 6,100 lawn dart-related injuries were reported, with three deaths among children.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) acted swiftly, banning lawn darts in 1988 due to the severe risk of injury, especially to children. Today, Jarts and similar lawn darts are considered illegal in many countries, with strict regulations surrounding their sale and use.
Lead-Painted Toys
In the early 1980s, many toys, especially imported ones, were painted with lead-based paint. Despite mounting evidence linking lead exposure to neurological damage in children, these toys continued to be sold. Lead exposure is known to affect children’s cognitive development, causing irreversible harm, including reduced IQ and behavioral problems.
This led to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which imposed strict limits on lead levels in children’s products. Today, the sale of any children’s toy containing lead-based paint is strictly illegal in many countries, including the United States, where recalls of lead-contaminated toys have occurred frequently.
Tobacco Ads Targeting Children
In the ’80s, cigarette brands routinely marketed to children through branded merchandise, including toys, T-shirts, and hats. These promotions were a direct attempt to cultivate a lifelong consumer base, even as the dangers of smoking were well-established.
In response to growing concerns over these marketing tactics, the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between U.S. states and major tobacco companies banned cartoon characters and other child-targeted marketing strategies. Today, promoting tobacco products with the same youth-appealing tactics would violate federal laws in many countries, including restrictions on outdoor ads and branded merchandise aimed at minors.
Over-the-Counter Diet Pills
The 1980s saw a massive surge in the popularity of over-the-counter diet pills, many of which contained dangerous stimulants. Ephedra, a common ingredient in many of these “fat burners,” was later linked to serious health risks, including heart attacks and strokes.
In response to reports of fatalities, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned ephedra-containing products in 2004, citing an “unreasonable risk of illness or injury.” Today, many of the diet pills that were marketed aggressively in the ’80s are illegal to sell due to their dangerous side effects.
Asbestos-Containing Building Materials
Asbestos was once a common construction material, used in everything from ceiling tiles to insulation. In the early ’80s, many homes and buildings still contained products with asbestos, despite mounting evidence linking it to serious health risks such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. As a result, most countries, including the United States, have since banned or heavily regulated asbestos use.
Selling or installing asbestos-containing materials is now illegal in most regions, with stringent regulations in place to prevent exposure to this hazardous substance.
High-Phthalate Plastic Toys
Many soft, flexible plastic toys and teething items sold during the 1980s contained high levels of phthalates. These chemicals are now known to disrupt hormones and potentially cause developmental issues in children. At the time, the long-term risks of phthalate exposure were not well understood.
Following extensive research, the U.S. government banned several high-phthalate chemicals from use in children’s products, including DEHP, DBP, and BBP, and similar bans have been enacted across the European Union.
Illegal Fireworks
In the ’80s, many powerful consumer fireworks, including illegal M-80s and similar explosives, were sold under the counter or misrepresented. These devices were responsible for numerous injuries and even fatalities. The U.S. government responded by strictly regulating fireworks, limiting consumer sales to items containing no more than 50 milligrams of flash powder. Anything beyond this threshold is classified as an explosive device, which is illegal for consumers to purchase.
Many types of fireworks, once commonly sold at roadside stands or by illegal vendors in the ’80s, are now explicitly banned.
