Press Release: 26th Annual Trouble in Toyland Report Documents Hazards on Store Shelves
Nov. 22 –Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, according to the Alaska Public Interest Research Group’s 26th annual Trouble in Toyland report.
The report, released this morning, reveals the results of laboratory testing on toys for lead and phthalates, both of which have been proven to have serious adverse health impacts on the development of young children. The survey also found toys that pose either choking or noise hazards.
“Choking on small parts, small balls and balloons is still a leading cause of toy-related injury. Between 1990 and 2009 over 200 children have died,” said Matt Wallace, AKPIRG Executive Director. “While most toys are safe, our researchers still found toys on the shelves that pose choking hazards and other toys that contain hazardous levels of toxic chemicals including lead,” he explained.
For 26 years, the AKPIRG 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 an interactive website with tips for safe toy shopping that consumers can access on their smart phones at www.toysafety.mobi
Key findings from the report include:
Toys with high levels of toxic substances are still on store shelves. Two toys contain levels of phthalates – a chemical that poses development hazards for small children — at 40 and 70 times allowable limits. Several toys violate current allowable lead limits (300ppm). Lead has negative health effects on almost every organ and system in the human body.
Despite a ban on small parts in toys for children under three, we found toys available in stores that still pose choking hazards.
We also found toys that are potentially harmful to children’s ears and exceed the hearing standards recommended by the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
In 2008, Congress placed strict limits on concentrations of lead and phthalates in toys and children articles in a law that also gave greater authority and funding to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Wallace noted that the CPSC has a new database of both potential hazards and recalled products at saferproducts.gov.
While federal action has moved the ball forward, there are still potential toxic hazards not addressed in federal law. The Alaska legislature is considering several bills that would significantly reduce toxic chemicals in toys and other consumer goods.
“There is no good reason to have toxic chemicals linked to cancer and learning disabilities in toys with which our children play, especially as we see these rates of disease on the rise in the US.” Representative Scott Kawasaki said. “Alaska must do all it can to protect healthy children and families and prevent our state from becoming a dumping ground for these toxic toys.”
“Parents and toy givers need to remember that while the CPSC is doing a good job, it doesn’t test all toys on the shelves. Consumers should also remember that toys that are not on our list of examples could also pose hazards,” Wallace concluded. “Our new Toy Tips explains the most common toy hazards and our mobile app.”
A pdf version of both documents are available:
Report: Trouble in Toyland 2011
Download the full report
Executive Summary
The 2011 Trouble in Toyland report is our 26th annual survey of toy safety. In this report, we provide safety guidelines for consumers when purchasing toys for young children and provide examples of toys currently on store shelves that may pose potential safety hazards.
Over the past twenty five years, the report has identified hazards in toys and children’s products that could cause an acute injury from small parts that pose a choking hazard, to strangulation hazards from cords on pull toys, to laceration hazards from edges that are too sharp and to toxics hazards posed by toys. Our report has led to at least 150 recalls and other regulatory actions over the years, and has helped us to advocate for stronger federal laws to protect children from unsafe products. This report continues to be an important endeavor in keeping children, particularly babies and toddlers safe, as the majority of all injuries happen to children in the 0-2 age range.
The enactment of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 made great strides in toy safety and strengthened the ability of the Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC to protect consumers, including the littlest consumers—children. Although in 2011 policymakers delayed implementation of its most stringent lead standard rules and enacted some narrow exceptions, on the whole the law has been protected from being weakened. However, we remain vigilant as a variety of regulatory threats to the CPSC’s tools and authority remain under consideration by policymakers.
We Looked For Common Hazards in Toys
We visited numerous national toy stores, malls and dollar stores in September and October 2011 to identify potentially dangerous toys. Our researchers examined the CPSC notices of recalls and other regulatory actions to identify trends in toy safety. Our investigation is focused on toys that posed a potential toxic, choking, strangulation or noise hazard. Our list of dangerous toys is in no way exhaustive, it represents a small sampling of the toys that can be found for sale.
Our Key Findings Include:
Lead Continues to be a Hazard in Toys
Exposure to lead can affect almost every organ and system in the human body, especially the central nervous system. Lead is especially harmful to the brains of young children and has no business in children’s products. This year our investigators found 2 toys whose lead levels exceeded the current 300ppm standard set by the CPSIA and one additional toy that exceeded its prospective 100ppm standard; we found 4 additional toys that exceeded the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that lead levels in toys should not exceed 40ppm.
Phthalates in Toys
Numerous studies have documented the potential negative health effects of exposure to phthalates in the womb or in child development. U.S. EPA studies show the cumulative impact of different phthalates leads to an exponential increase in harms including premature delivery and reproductive defects. The CPSIA permanently banned toys containing three phthalates and set temporary limits on three others, while tests continue. No toy or childcare article can contain more than 1000ppm of each of the six phthalates.
This year, we found two toys that laboratory testing showed to contain 42,000 ppm and 77,000 ppm levels of phthalates. These products exceed limits allowed by the CPSIA by 42 and 77 times, respectively.
Choking Hazards
Choking on small toy parts, on small balls, on marbles and balloons continues to be the major cause of toy-related deaths and injuries. Between 1990 and 2010, over 200 children died from a choking incident.
This year we found several toys that violated CPSC’s small parts for toys standard intended for children less than 3 years old. We also found “near small part” toys that – while not in violation of current regulations — support our call for the small parts test to be made less permissive. Finally, we found toys intended for older children that failed to provide choking hazards warnings required for small parts or small balls.
Noisy Toys
Research has shown a third of Americans with hearing loss can attribute it in part to noise. The third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed one in five U.S. children will have some degree of hearing loss by the time they reach age 12; this may be in part due to many children using toys and other children’s products that emit loud sounds such as music players. The National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders advises that prolonged exposure to noise above 85 decibels will cause gradual hearing loss in any age range. We found 1 toy on store shelves that exceeded the recommended continuous exposure to 85-decibel limit and 2 close-to-the-ear toys that exceeded the 65 decibel limit when measured with a digital sound level meter.
Recommendations for Policy Makers
Policy makers must ensure that stepped increases in budget authorizations mandated by the CPSIA for the CPSC, (which increase to $136 million for FY2014) are fully funded in appropriations. Policymakers must also continue vigorous oversight of implementation and enforcement of the new law.
Manufacturers should be required to provide all hazard and health-impact information to the state and federal government, so agencies can begin to assess the thousands of chemicals currently on the market for which little or inadequate data are available.
There is overwhelming evidence showing that that the Toxic Substances Control Act is failing our most vulnerable consumers; i.e. pregnant women, babies and children. Policymakers should take steps to ensure the American people are better protected from toxins in the environment.
Policymakers should reject well-funded special interest efforts to weaken the ability of regulatory agencies to conduct rulemakings or enforce rules designed to protect public health and safety.
For The Consumer Product Safety Commission
CPSC should review and where necessary expand its definition of a “small part” or “small toy” to include parts and toys that are larger than the current standard, but have been shown to pose a choking hazard to children.
The CPSC should continue to proceed with mandatory rulemaking to regulate cadmium limits in children’s jewelry.
The CPSC should vigorously enforce lead and phthalate limits in toys; CPSC should move to using the lead standards recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics of 40ppm.
CPSC must ensure that new third-party testing programs meet CPSIA standards. As the CPSC continues to implement its new publicly accessible toy and other product incident database at www.saferproducts.gov , it must make sure that it provides the information consumers need to make informed choices in the marketplace.
For Consumers
Be vigilant this holiday season, and remember:
The CPSC does not test all toys, and not all toys on store shelves meet CPSC standards. There is no comprehensive list of potentially hazardous toys. Examine toys carefully for potential dangers before you make a purchase. Shop with our Toy Safety Tips, available at www.toysafety. mobi and in the leaflet available on our website. Parents should continue to be vigilant about metals in toys as they may contain lead or cadmium above the mandatory safety limits. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that all children be screened for exposure to lead. A simple and inexpensive blood test can determine whether or not a child has a dangerous level of lead in his or her body. The test can be obtained through a physician, or public health agency.
Report unsafe toys or toy-related injuries to the CPSC at www.cpsc.gov and to www.saferproducts. gov or call the CPSC at 1-800-504-7923.
Check out the media coverage on the RCA approval of Fire Island Wind
AkPIRG’s Renewable Energy Advocate Steve Cleary is quoted in most of the stories.
Alaska Dispatch: Alaska Regulators Approve Fire Island Wind Power Project
Anchorage Daily News: Regulators OK Sale of Wind Power
APRN: RCA Approves Purchase Agreement Between Chugach Electric, Fire Island Wind
KTUU Channel 2: Fire Island Wind Project Approved
KTVA Channel 11: Fire Island Wind Project Approved
Your Alaska Link Channel 4/Channel 13: RCA Approves Fire Island Wind Project
Wind Power Advocates Celebrate Fire Island Approval
VERY LATE Monday, October 10th, wind power advocates celebrated the Regulatory Commission of Alaska’s (RCA) decision to approve the Fire Island Wind Power Purchase Agreement. This decision, a result of many days of intense hearings, allows Chugach Electric Association to purchase wind power from CIRI’s Fire Island Wind Project, and enables the project to proceed with financing and construction in 2011.
The Alaska Center for the Environment (ACE), Alaska Public Interest Group (AKPIRG) and the Alaska Conservation Alliance (ACA) worked together on behalf of their members to ensure Fire Island Wind Project became a reality.
“This is a huge step toward energy diversification and price stability in the Railbelt,” stated Steve Cleary of the Alaska Public Interest Research Group (AkPIRG) “Whereas other proposed energy sources are many years away, Chugach customers can now expect to be using renewable wind power as early as 2012,” Cleary continued.
“The RCA’s approval allows for 6,000 homes, nearly four percent of Chugach’s energy needs, to be powered by clean and local wind energy,” stated Kate McKeown, Clean Energy Coordinator with the Alaska Conservation Alliance. “By offsetting natural gas, Southcentral Alaska is moving toward reducing our reliability on volatile natural gas prices.”
According to CIRI, the 11-turbine commercial-scale wind farm on Fire Island, three miles west of Anchorage, will provide 51,000 MW-hours of power to Chugach Electric Association annually, and has a generating capacity of 17.6 MW. With additional buyers, the project has the potential to expand to 33 turbines, generating nearly 53MW annually. RCA’s decision to approve the Power Purchase Agreement guarantees a 25-year, flat net price for the wind power.
The entire RCA ruling can be found here.
Urge the Regulatory Commission to approve the Fire Island Wind project
Now that the Board of Directors for Chugach Electric has given the greenlight to the Fire Island Wind Project (you can thank them by sending an email), the Regulatory Commission of Alaska needs to approve the deal. We’ve submitted a public comment in support of the proposal, and you can too! Just head to this page at the RCA website, and click ‘submit comments’ to show your support for reliable, affordable renewable energy for Alaska.
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AKPIRG Releases 25th Annual Toy Safety Report, Hosts Free Toxic Toy Screenings in Anchorage
Anchorage, Nov 26th, – Dangerous or toxic toys can still be found on America’s store shelves, Alaska Public Interest Research Group announced today in its 25th annual Trouble in Toyland report.
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AKPIRG to Host Toxic Toy Screenings Around Anchorage
AKPIRG director Matt Wallace on KTVA channel 11– let’s talk campaign disclosure.
The KTVA evening news last night had a good story on the sorry state of campaign spending disclosure laws, featuring AKPIRG director Matt Wallace.
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AKPIRG opinion piece in the Anchorage Daily News: It’s time to move forward on Fire Island Wind.
You can read the story at the ADN here, or text below.
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AKPIRG is hiring a new organizer to work on ratepayer and utility issues
AkPIRG seeks a qualified, motivated, and committed individual to serve as Ratepayer Coordinator to work full-time on electric utility issues in Alaska. Much of the coordinator’s efforts will be focused on developing the ratepayer movement in Alaska, uniting these groups from a consumer/economic perspective, and engaging them year round with the goal of providing the resources needed to elevate ratepayers into spokespeople that can advocate clean energy and energy efficiency solutions from an economic standpoint.
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