Toy Safety News

Hazardous toys can still be found on store shelves across the country despite passage of the 1994 Child Safety Protection Act, according to a nationwide survey released today by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group (CoPIRG)

More than 212,000 people sought treatment in hospital emergency rooms in 2002 for toy-related injuries, of which more than a third were under five years old. Thirteen children died from toy related injuries in 2002.

"Even one toy-related death is too many, because these deaths are preventable," said Nicole A. Boojamra, of CoPIRG.

The annual CoPIRG "Trouble in Toyland" report, available at www.copirg.org, offers safety guidelines for purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards.

CoPIRG's research focused on four categories of toy dangers: toys that pose choking hazards, toys that are dangerously loud, toys that pose strangulation hazards or could form dangerous projectiles, and toys that contain toxic chemicals.

Highlights of the report's findings include:

Choking Hazards: Choking on small parts, small balls and balloons remains a leading cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. CoPIRG researchers found:

­ Manufacturers and retailers continue to sell toys that have small parts but are not labeled with the choke hazard warning required by law;

­ Balloons are still manufactured and marketed in shapes and colors attractive to young children and are often sold in unlabeled bins, in violation of the law requiring that they be labeled as unsafe for children younger than eight years old; and

­ Toy manufacturers are over-labeling toys by placing choke hazard warnings on items that do not contain small parts or small balls.

Dangerously Loud Toys: Just this month, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) set a new acoustics standard for toys in order to protect children's hearing. The new standard says that most toys should not produce a sound louder than 90 decibels when measured from a distance of 25 centimeters. Close-to-the-ear toys, like toy cell phones, should not exceed 70 decibels when measured from a distance of 25 centimeters. CoPIRG researchers tested several toys and found:

­ Several toys currently on toy store shelves may not meet the new ASTM standards for appropriately loud toys;

­ Several toys currently on toy store shelves exceed 100 decibels when measured at close range. Prolonged exposure to sounds at 85 decibels or higher can result in hearing damage.

Toxic Hazards: CoPIRG researchers surveyed more than 40 toy manufacturers about their use of phthalates in children's toys and other products. Of those who responded, most reported that they have stopped using phthalates in teethers, mouthing toys and other toys and products intended for children under three, although several admitted that toys for older children may contain these chemicals.

"The good news is that most manufacturers have responded to the concerns of parents and scientists by phasing out phthalates in plastic toys intended for children under three," noted Nicole A. Boojamra. "The bad news is that CoPIRG still found plastic toys on store shelves that contain phthalates as well as other children's products with toxic ingredients."

CoPIRG found small plastic bath toys made up of two-thirds phthalates by weight and popular brands of polymer modeling clay containing high concentrations of phthalates. CoPIRG also identified several children's cosmetic sets containing xylene and other toxic chemicals.

Yo-yo Water Balls: Several countries, including the United Kingdom, have banned the popular yo-yo water ball because of incidents in which the toy wrapped tightly around children's necks or caused other injuries to the eyes, face and head. In September 2003, CPSC announced that it would not recall the product. Instead, the agency advised parents to supervise use of the toy, cut its cord, or throw it away.

"CPSC should do more to alert parents to the very real and documented hazards posed by this toy to children under 8," said Nicole A. Boojamra.

CoPIRG called on the CPSC to recall the yo-yo ball and issue a moratorium on sales until manufacturers properly label the toys, by warning that improper use can lead to strangulation and other bodily injury and that the toy is not suitable for children under 8 years old.

Nicole A. Boojamra noted that the toy list in the CoPIRG report is only a sampling of the potential hazards on store shelves. "Shoppers should examine all toys carefully for hidden dangers before they make a purchase this holiday season," Nicole A. Boojamra added. "While most manufacturers comply with the law, parents should not assume that all toys on store shelves are safe or adequately labeled," continued Nicole A. Boojamra.

CoPIRG is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan public interest organization dedicated to environmental protection, consumer rights, and good government. The full report is available at www.toysafety.net.