Trouble In Toyland: The 23rd Annual Survey of Toy Safety

Group's annual toy safety advisory warns about chemicals, choking hazards.

Some plastic toys, like the Ernie by Mattel Inc. at left, contain phthalates, a hormone-like chemical. The Ernie doll made of cloth, right, by Fisher Price is phthalate free.

The AP (11/26, Metzler), in an article published in over 100 papers and websites, including the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, and the Miami Herald, reports,

If the toy fits inside the tube from a toilet roll, it's too small for the tiny tots

consumer advocates warned Tuesday. US Public Interest Research Group (PRIG) said parents shopping for holiday toys should look out for hazards such as small parts, soft plastics and lead contamination. Although increased consumer protections were approved this summer, US PIRG warned parents that those rules have not yet gone into effect." The group's latest annual "Trouble in Toyland" report focused on the choking hazard of small parts, lead, and phthalates.

The Chicago Tribune (11/26, Schmadeke) adds that the study says that a "Pony Land pony and a googly eyed green fish" on the market both contain phthalates, which are "suspected of causing reproductive and developmental problems, especially in boys. ... Six types of phthalates were banned from use in children's toys under legislation adopted by Congress this year. The law takes effect Feb. 10, but Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) said at the news conference that he planned to call a subcommittee hearing in December to examine how the law would be enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)."
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (11/26, Lade) adds that the group's investigators found six products on store shelves that would be banned when the provision takes effect, noting that five of those products originate in China, "where about 90 percent of the toys sold in this country are made. The only well-known manufacturer was Hasbro, named because the required label on its Littlest Pet Shop set, warning about small parts that could detach and choke young children, was not clearly visible. ... One toy, a Silly Fish Squirters squirt gun by Toysmith, contained 64 to 400 times more phthalates than allowed under the new law."
The Columbus Dispatch (11/26, Bush) notes that phthalates are "used to make plastics soft and squishy. The problem: it's almost impossible for a parent to know if it's in a toy. But if it's soft plastic, chances are it contains phthalates, according to the Public Interest Research Group, which creates a hazardous toy list every year." The Dispatch adds that the chemicals could impact "genital development in young children." The San Diego Union-Tribune (11/26, Manolatos) adds that this year's report "warns consumers that the list is not comprehensive. 'Simply because a toy does not appear on this list does not mean that it is safe,' the disclaimer says. 'Under current law, toys must meet standards, but no testing is required.'" This piece lists the toys that the report found to be hazardous.
Recalls not yet in effect. The New York Daily News (11/26, Pesce) explains that the CPSC "warned Tuesday that dangerous playthings are still on the market -- despite an industry overhaul after last year's toy recalls. 'We took a great step forward with the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act that we passed this summer,' Liz Hitchcock, public health advocate for US PIRG, said in releasing the group's annual toy survey. 'Unfortunately, the safety provisions in the law aren't fully in effect yet, so these hazards are still on toy store shelves.'"
ABC News (11/26, Barrett) reports on its website that despite the "huge changes" in safety laws, many impacted toys are still available, quoting Hitchcock discussion of the law's time lag. "The measure signed into law in August includes new requirements for the amount of lead and plastic-softening chemicals known as phthalates in products meant for kids younger than 12. It also calls for mandatory safety tests and sets forth more ways to keep kids safe in the event of a recall. But it will be February before several of its provisions that address toxic chemicals take effect."
Congress calling on CPSC to enforce ban on phthalate in toys. USA Today (11/26, Szabo) reports that California Sen. Diane Feinstein (D) is leading a congressional push to compel the Consumer Product Safety Commission to immediately implement a ban on "several hormone-like chemicals called phthalates in products for children under 12." Feinstein says that she and others in Congress "wanted toys with the controversial chemicals to be off the market when the law takes effect Feb. 10." However, a CPSC attorney last week "released a legal opinion stating that stores may continue to sell toys with phthalates, as long as those items were made before Feb. 10. That could allow toys with phthalates to remain on the shelves for years, with no way for parents to know which toys contain the chemicals, Feinstein says." The piece continues to describe the health risks associated with the compounds, and to analyze the impasse between Congress and the CPSC.
As the grandfather of 3 and another on the way, I am very concerned about toy safety. I can't understand how we, as a society, can permit corporate greed to override the health of our children.
David W. Zoll
Zoll, Kranz & Borgess