NEW YORK—Toys lined up on a table—from Buzz Lightyear figures to plush puppy dolls and princess necklaces—all of which could kill or harm a child, according to the 2009 Trouble in Toyland report from the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG).
Findings of the annual report were released during a press conference on Wednesday. Several of the problematic toys were on display at the press conference, all of which were found on New York store shelves within the last two weeks.
Past reports have led to 130 recalls and other actions to get dangerous toys off store shelves, according to NYPIRG consumer attorney Tracy Shelton.
Shelton said the product that concerned her most this year was a fluffy stuffed animal marketed to babies. The “Love to Play Puppy” from Fischer Price was found to contain mercury and bromine.
“Just the fact that he is so cute and he’s marketed to babies, and he contains these substances, bothers me,” she said.
Findings of the annual report were released during a press conference on Wednesday. Several of the problematic toys were on display at the press conference, all of which were found on New York store shelves within the last two weeks.
Past reports have led to 130 recalls and other actions to get dangerous toys off store shelves, according to NYPIRG consumer attorney Tracy Shelton.
Shelton said the product that concerned her most this year was a fluffy stuffed animal marketed to babies. The “Love to Play Puppy” from Fischer Price was found to contain mercury and bromine.
“Just the fact that he is so cute and he’s marketed to babies, and he contains these substances, bothers me,” she said.
Although the findings were not as bad as last year, a third of the 699 products tested this year were found to contain one or more harmful chemicals.
Sheryl Gaynor of NYPIRG said that in addition to lead, “Toys were also identified this year with phthalates, cadmium, arsenic, chlorine, mercury, and bromine. There is simply no place for any of these toxic substances in children’s toys.”
Toys that are excessively loud and could cause hearing impairment and toys that pose choking hazards were also addressed this year.
The report pulls some findings from research by HealthyStuff.org.
Lead was found in 18 percent of toys that were tested—only slightly lower than last year’s 20 percent, despite stricter regulations. The current recall standard for toys containing lead is 300 parts per million (ppm). Three percent of the toys were over 300 ppm.
“Scientists have found that there is no safe levels of lead for children,” said Gaynor, adding that the neurotoxin is known to lower I.Q. and cause behavioral problems. “In 2005 a little boy even died of acute lead poisoning after swallowing a piece of jewelry that was 99 percent lead.”
Despite common belief, lead is not limited to paint. It has been found in vinyl lunch boxes and jewelry alike. It can be in the paint, in the toy itself, in vinyl, plastic, and metal.
PVC was found in 42 percent of the toys. The level of PVC has not changed from past studies. It is considered one of the worst plastics as it creates hazards for manufacturers and commonly has additives including lead, cadmium, and heavy metals.
Representatives from the Toy Industry Association also came to the press conference and are refuting the report’s findings.
“Around holiday time, these lists come out. They needlessly frighten parents,” said Adrienne Appell, spokesperson for the Toy Industry Association, adding that “parents can be assured that toys on store shelves are safer than ever before.”
Sheryl Gaynor of NYPIRG said that in addition to lead, “Toys were also identified this year with phthalates, cadmium, arsenic, chlorine, mercury, and bromine. There is simply no place for any of these toxic substances in children’s toys.”
Toys that are excessively loud and could cause hearing impairment and toys that pose choking hazards were also addressed this year.
The report pulls some findings from research by HealthyStuff.org.
Toxic Toys
Lead was found in 18 percent of toys that were tested—only slightly lower than last year’s 20 percent, despite stricter regulations. The current recall standard for toys containing lead is 300 parts per million (ppm). Three percent of the toys were over 300 ppm.
“Scientists have found that there is no safe levels of lead for children,” said Gaynor, adding that the neurotoxin is known to lower I.Q. and cause behavioral problems. “In 2005 a little boy even died of acute lead poisoning after swallowing a piece of jewelry that was 99 percent lead.”
Despite common belief, lead is not limited to paint. It has been found in vinyl lunch boxes and jewelry alike. It can be in the paint, in the toy itself, in vinyl, plastic, and metal.
PVC was found in 42 percent of the toys. The level of PVC has not changed from past studies. It is considered one of the worst plastics as it creates hazards for manufacturers and commonly has additives including lead, cadmium, and heavy metals.
Representatives from the Toy Industry Association also came to the press conference and are refuting the report’s findings.
“Around holiday time, these lists come out. They needlessly frighten parents,” said Adrienne Appell, spokesperson for the Toy Industry Association, adding that “parents can be assured that toys on store shelves are safer than ever before.”
Researchers from HealthyStuff.org used a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer that identifies the elemental composition of materials to check for harmful chemicals in the toys.
Appell challenged the testing methods used for the report’s findings. “XRF technology which was used has not been proven to be an indicator—it’s an indicator—it may show that there’s a problem, but there is extensive testing that goes on,” she said.
In regard to the toys presented at the press conference, Appell said, “There is no indication right now that any of these toys will be off the shelf. There are many allegations today.”
Alongside the Trouble in Toyland report, NYPIRG representatives gave a few tips to help parents choose the right toys this holiday season.
According to Shelton, parents should be careful with toys made in China. “If a toy has paint on it, if a toy is soft plastic, if a toy has a strong odor and is made in China, then parents may want to be double vigilant when it comes to that toy for their children,” she said.
Numerous toxic products have been found coming from China recently, including toxic drywall and food products tainted with melamine, which is often used in plastics and adhesives.
Shelton said if a toy is painted it could be problematic, since the paint can contain lead. Despite U.S. laws passed in 1977 that ban lead paint, it is still sometimes found on toys.
Soft plastic can also be an indicator that phthalates were used. “They’re often used in products to soften plastic,” said Shelton.
To check for choking hazards, NYPIRG recommends parents bring a golf ball or a toilet paper tube with them while shopping. If the toy is smaller than the golf ball or fits in the tube, it could pose a choking hazard.
Parents should also hold toys to their ears to check the noise level, as loud toys could cause hearing impairment, according to Shelton.
Appell challenged the testing methods used for the report’s findings. “XRF technology which was used has not been proven to be an indicator—it’s an indicator—it may show that there’s a problem, but there is extensive testing that goes on,” she said.
In regard to the toys presented at the press conference, Appell said, “There is no indication right now that any of these toys will be off the shelf. There are many allegations today.”
Tips for Parents
Alongside the Trouble in Toyland report, NYPIRG representatives gave a few tips to help parents choose the right toys this holiday season.
According to Shelton, parents should be careful with toys made in China. “If a toy has paint on it, if a toy is soft plastic, if a toy has a strong odor and is made in China, then parents may want to be double vigilant when it comes to that toy for their children,” she said.
Numerous toxic products have been found coming from China recently, including toxic drywall and food products tainted with melamine, which is often used in plastics and adhesives.
Shelton said if a toy is painted it could be problematic, since the paint can contain lead. Despite U.S. laws passed in 1977 that ban lead paint, it is still sometimes found on toys.
Soft plastic can also be an indicator that phthalates were used. “They’re often used in products to soften plastic,” said Shelton.
To check for choking hazards, NYPIRG recommends parents bring a golf ball or a toilet paper tube with them while shopping. If the toy is smaller than the golf ball or fits in the tube, it could pose a choking hazard.
Parents should also hold toys to their ears to check the noise level, as loud toys could cause hearing impairment, according to Shelton.
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