Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America's
store shelves, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) says in its
25th annual Trouble in Toyland report.
The new report reveals the results of laboratory testing for
toxic chemicals, identifies toys that pose choking hazards, and includes tips
for avoiding common hazards when shopping.
"We've made a lot of progress, but dangerous toys can still
be found among our children's playthings," said U.S. PIRG Public Health
Advocate Liz Hitchcock. "U.S. PIRG's report and the resources we offer will
help consumers identify and avoid the worst threats and keep their children
safe this year."
For 25 years, the Trouble in Toyland report has offered safety guidelines for purchasing toys for small children and provided examples of toys currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards. The group also provides an interactive Website with tips for safe toy shopping that consumers can access on their smartphones.
Key findings
In 2009, many toys and other children's products containing
more than 0.1 percent of phthalates were banned. Still, U.S. PIRG found such
products with phthalates, including a baby doll that contained concentrations
up to 30 percent.
Despite a ban on small parts in toys for children under
three, there are still toys available that pose serious choking hazards,
including a toy train with a wooden peg that -- while compliant with current
standards -- nearly led to the choking death of one DC area child.
Lead and other metals have been severely restricted in toys
in the past two years, but U.S. PIRG's laboratory tests revealed toys
containing toxic lead and antimony on store shelves. Lead has negative health
effects on almost every organ and system in the human body, and antimony is
classified as a human carcinogen. Laboratory testing revealed one preschool
book with antimony far above the limits.
U.S. PIRG has notified the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
U.S. PIRG noted that progress has been made on toy safety in
the past two years thanks to a 2008 law overhauling the CPSC, as
well as new leadership at the agency.
"The CPSC is doing a good job under its expanded authority,
but there is still more work to be done," said Hitchcock, "especially when it
comes to reducing choking hazards and regulating the tens of thousands of
chemicals that may be in the toys our children play with."
According to the most recent data from the CPSC, toy-related injuries sent more than 250,000 children -- 90,000 under the age of five -- to emergency rooms in 2009. Twelve children died from toy-related injuries that year.
