Survey Finds Dangerous Toys on Colorado Store Shelves

Shopping Tips, Quiz Can Help Parents Shop Safe

CoPIRG Foundation

Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to the CoPIRG Foundation’s 28th annual Trouble in Toyland report.  The survey of hazardous toys found that despite recent progress, consumers must still be wary when shopping this holiday season.

The report reveals the results of laboratory testing on toys for toxic chemicals including lead, antimony, cadmium, and phthalates, all of which can have serious adverse health impacts on the development of children. The survey also found small toys that pose a choking hazard, excessively loud toys that threaten children’s hearing, and toy magnets that can cause serious injury if swallowed. 

“We should be able to trust that the toys we buy are safe. However, until that’s the case, parents need to watch out for common hazards when shopping for toys,” said Danny Katz, Director of the CoPIRG Foundation.

For 28 years, the CoPIRG Foundation 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 a Facebook quiz to help educate parents and others about toy-related hazards.
   
Key findings from the report include:

• Toys with high levels of toxic substances are still on store shelves. Nationally, the survey found several toys with high lead levels including a toddler toy with 29 times the legal limit of lead (2900 ppm), and play jewelry for children with 2 times the legal limit (200 ppm). In Colorado, the survey also found an infant play mat with high levels of the toxic metal antimony.
• Despite a ban on small parts in toys for children under three, toys were available in stores that still pose choking hazards. 
• The survey found toys that are potentially harmful to children’s ears and exceed the noise standards recommended by the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
• The survey discovered small powerful magnets that pose a dangerous threat to children if swallowed.

Over the past five years, stronger rules have helped get some of the most dangerous toys and children’s products off the market.  Improvements made in 2008’s Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act tightened lead limits and phased out dangerous phthalates.  However, not all toys comply with the law, and holes in the toy safety net remain.

“Our leaders and consumer watchdogs need to do more to protect America’s kids from the hazards of unsafe toys – no child should ever be injured, get sick, or die from playing with a dangerous toy,” said Katz.  “Standards for toxic chemicals like lead and cadmium remain too weak, and enforcement needs to be beefed up.”

To download our Toy Tips or the full Trouble in Toyland report, click here.