Toys deemed dangerous: Research group lists Trouble in Toyland report - Lunchbox, picture book among perilous playthings, group says

Toys deemed dangerous: Research group lists Trouble in Toyland report - Lunchbox, picture book among perilous playthings, group says
By Cynthia Dizikes
Copyright © 2009, Chicago Tribune
November 25, 2009
http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/chi-dangerous-toys-25nov25,0,7557481.story


A red Elmo lunchbox and a Fisher-Price phone were among seemingly benign toys that shoppers are being advised to avoid as dangerous by an advocacy group this holiday season.

Some toys listed in the Illinois Public Interest Research Group's 24th annual Trouble in Toyland report have too high of a lead content, while others are excessively loud. Still others had overly high levels of dangerous chemicals or small pieces that might become lodged in children's throats.

"In spite of the improvements that we have seen over the last year at the federal level and the improvements that we have seen in the last several years in the state of Illinois, (the research group) every single year is able to walk into toy stores and purchase toys that are dangerous for children," said Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who joined group members for the announcement of the report Tuesday at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Research group Director Brian Imus said the vast majority of toys tested were found to be safe. The group tested 87 toys for lead and found just six with levels of the substance above the legal limit of 300 parts per million, Imus said. It tested 24 toys for phthalates -- a chemical used to soften plastic -- and found two with levels above the legal limit. It also examined toys for small parts and excessive noise.

The Elmo lunchbox contained about 70 times the level of phthalates allowable by federal law, said the group, while a cloth "Big Rex" dinosaur picture book had a vinyl piece with 1,900 parts per million of lead, well above the legal limit.

The manufacturers of the Elmo lunchbox and the picture book could not be reached for comment.

The Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Learning Phone made a 90-decibel noise at 1 centimeter from the ear -- the same as a lawn mower, the research group found. The American Society for Testing and Materials' highest recommended level for similar items is 85 decibels, the Illinois research group said.

Fischer-Price spokeswoman Juliette Reashor dismissed the report in a statement. "At Mattel (parent company of Fisher-Price), we are extremely careful in establishing appropriate volume levels in all of our toys," Reashor said.

cdizikes@tribune.com