CONSUMER NEWS    RECALLS    COMPLAINT FORM    SCAM ALERTS  


Complain about a product or service

Small Claims Guide | Class Actions | Lemon Law | FAQ | Resources | Newsletters | Spanish
Automotive    Education    Electronics    Family    Finance    Health    Homeowners    Shopping    Travel   
NEWS   Latest |  Archives |  Auto |  Cells, etc. |  Computers |  Financial |  Health |  Homeowners |  Parents |  Privacy |  Scams |  Seniors |  Travel

Lead, Arsenic Found in Popular Toys

Hannah Montana card pack, Circo baby shoes had high lead levels





...

By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com

December 6, 2007

Safety Agency Waits 16 Months to Recall Lead-Laden Key Chains
Lawmakers Propose Bill To Prevent 'Stove Tipping'
Senate Passes Tough New Consumer Safety Bill
Infant Deaths in the Nursery Increasing
Sears Stove Tip-Over Case Illustrates Safety Agency's Shortcomings
Next Season's Toys: Technology Meets Hannah Montana
Toys Safer than Ever, Toy Makers Claim
Toy Industry Needs Import Safety Checklist
Toys Getting Safer, Safety Chief Claims
Plastic War Hits The Toy Industry
Feds Propose New Furniture Fire Rule
Safety Recalls a Sign of Success?
Congressional Leaders Send Message to Mattel
Another Industry Lobbyist To Head Safety Agency?
$30 Million Settlement in Thomas & Friends Suit
Consumer Protection Bills Spark Bitter Lobbying Battle
Time Running out for Consumer Safety Agency
---
More Consumer Safety News
Recall Notices

A coalition of nonprofit groups has released the results of their testing of 1,200 popular children's toys for toxic chemicals. The groups' Web site, www.HealthyToys.org, is intended to give parents and other gift-givers a way to learn how each product rates in terms of potentially harmful content.

Seventeen percent of the tested toys had lead levels above 600 parts per million, the federal recall limit. The testing detected more than 6,700 ppm in Dollar Store animal figurines; 3,056 ppm in a Hannah Montana Pop Star Card Pack; and 1,700 ppm lead in a pair of Circo baby shoes.

"The government is not testing for toxic chemicals in toys, and too many manufacturers are not self-regulating, so we created the nation's first toy database to help inform and empower consumers," said Tracey Easthope, director of the Ecology Center's Environmental Health Project.

The good news is that safe toys are possible, the groups said: 28% of the products tested did not contain any lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury or PVC, including many made in China.

Examples of healthier toys include: Amazing Animals Hippo by Fisher-Price (made in China); Caterpillar Grasping Toy by Melissa and Doug (made in Vietnam); and B.R. Bruin Stacking Cups (made in China).

The site asks users to submit their full name, email address, state of residence and Zip code in order to access the lists of tested toys. although users can apparently opt out of providing that information. An error message said the database was down when ConsumerAffairs.com tried to review the list several times throughout the day.

Easthope said the Web site is part of a campaign intended to put pressure on government regulators.

"Ultimately consumers need to compel the federal government and toy manufacturers to eliminate dangerous chemicals from toys," Easthope said.

"Toxic chemicals have no place in children's toys, period," said Ted Schettler, MD, Science Director at the Science and Environmental Health Network. "Even low-level toxic chemical exposures can have lifelong impacts. Getting toxic chemicals out of children's toys is a moral and medical imperative."

Lead and other toxins are associated with reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, hormone problems and cancer. Babies and young children are the most vulnerable since their brains and bodies are still developing and because they frequently put toys in their mouths, Easthope said.

Besides lead, the center tested for polyvinyl chloride, cadmium, arsenic and other chemicals including mercury, bromine, chromium, tin and antimony..



Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.


Consumer News

May 9 2008

Recent Recalls & Safety Alerts

READER SERVICES

Print, Email & More

Subscribe

Free consumer newsletters
Sign up now!





More health videos ...



Back to the top |

Advertisement


Home | Rogues Gallery | Good Guys | Complaint Form | News | Recalls | Search | Video | FAQ |
Consumer Resources | Small Claims Guide | Lemon Law | Newsletter | Contact Us
Advertise With Us | Testimonials | Newsroom | RSS Feeds | Radio | Job Postings




Terms of Use Your use of this site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use

Advertisements on this site are placed and controlled by outside advertising networks. ConsumerAffairs.com does not evaluate or endorse the products and services advertised. See the FAQ for more information.

Company Response Welcome If complaints about your company appear on our site, we welcome your response. Please see the Response Form for more information.

For more information, see the FAQ and privacy policy. The information on this Web site is general in nature and is not intended as a substitute for competent legal advice.  ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. makes no representation as to the accuracy of the information herein provided and assumes no liability for any damages or loss arising from the use thereof. 

Copyright © 2003-2008 ConsumerAffairs.com Inc.  All Rights Reserved.