The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a private consumer advocacy group, recently released its 25th annual study of toy safety. It reported that only a small fraction of children’s toys tested for toxic substances and choking risks have been found to violate federal safety regulations.
\nThe group\u2019s public health advocate commented that while the study did not find perfection in toy safety, it did indicate progress.
\nPIRG credited a 2008 law that set stronger limits and standards for children’s products for helping to make many of the products on store shelves safer for youngsters. The law was passed in the wake of a wave of recalls of lead tainted toys.
\nPIRG had 260 toys and other children’s products from major retailers and dollar stores tested for toxic substances such as lead and antimony as well as for the risk of choking presented by small parts. Only four of the items tested violated federal safety regulations for children’s toys.
\nIn its annual “Trouble in Toyland” report on hazardous playthings, the organization focused on three hazards: lead or other metal-tainted toys, soft plastic toys that contain chemicals called phthalates, and toys with small parts that can choke young children.
\nHigher than permissible levels of lead or antimony were found in four toys. These are a stuffed animal, a baby book, plastic toy handcuffs and a toy gun. The toys were sold at stores including Toys “R” Us and Family Dollar.
\nLead can cause irreversible brain damage, and antimony has been linked to fertility problems in animals.
\nWhile none of the products tested violated federal limits for small parts, PIRG said several toys were still hazardous for children under 3 because the size was not that much bigger than allowed by law.
\nThe toys identified in the group’s report as potential dangers were:
\n\u2014A stuffed animal monkey made by Play Pets that contained lead just slightly above the limit.
\n\u2014The red handle of a baby book sold at Toys “R” Us that contained antimony that was about twice the limit.
\n\u2014The surface coating of toy plastic handcuffs sold at Toys “R” Us that had excess antimony, many times higher than allowed.
\n\u2014The surface coating of a wild ranger toy gun sold at Family Dollar with slightly higher levels of antimony than allowed.
\nThe executive summary of the report is reproduced below.<\/p>\n