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Parents need to check the safety of toys for children
Nov. 26,
2012 |
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Isabelle Goodman, a member of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, and State Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr. spoke about this year's report on toy safety last week.
Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
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By G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com
SPRINGFIELD — Despite progress in making toys safer for children, Isabelle Goodman, a member of the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group (MassPIRG) said that lead in toys as well as the use of phthalates in plastic still poses a significant risk.
"We need to protect Massachusetts' littlest consumers from unsafe toys," Goodman said.
Goodman and State Rep. Angelo Puppolo Jr. spoke about the findings of the 27th annual "Trouble in Toyland" report released last week by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) at a press conference at the Greater Springfield YMCA.
Goodman said that over the years the report has been released at least 150 recalls have resulting from the survey. 2007 was a watershed year in which the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) made 231 recalls of 46 million toys.
This year's reports lists lead in toys as a continuing problems as well as magnets in toys. High-powered magnets, such as Buckyballs, can cause internal damage if swallowed. According to the research, between 2009 and 2011 there were 1,700 emergency room cases involving the swallowing of these kinds of magnets with 70 percent of them involving children between the ages of 4 and 12.
Goodman noted that although the use of phthalates in plastics has decreased in children's toys — the chemicals makes plastics softer and have been found in toys for young children — MassPIRG is working on making the federal disclosure laws stronger. Exposure to phthalates can be linked to a variety of serious health conditions.
Choking on small toys or parts of toys is a serious concern and Goodman recommended that parents use the cardboard tube from a roll of toilet paper as a guide. This is a wider standard that has been used in the past and Goodman said if a toy can pass through the tube it should kept away from children age 3 and younger.
"Toddlers put everything in their mouths, Goodman said, who added that from 2005 through 2010, 50 children choked to death from small toy parts.
Holding a metal action figure that was purchased at a major chain store, Goodman said that lead is still being used in toys that are being manufactured overseas. Lead items can be found in prominent chains such as Build a Bear. The report noted, "In 2011, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled 26,000 lapel pins from the popular brand Build a Bear, part of 200,000 units of toys recalled for lead."
Lead, according to the report isn't the only toxic metal that can be found in a toy box. The report also noted the growing use of cadmium. The report noted, "A recent study showed that young children who mouth or swallow jewelry containing cadmium may be exposed to 100 times the recommended maximum exposure limit for the toxic metal. The study also measured bioavailability — a measure of how much cadmium leached out of jewelry — and found that damaged pieces of jewelry in some cases leached up to 30 times more cadmium than undamaged pieces."
PIRG recommended, "The CPSC should reinstate rulemaking proceedings to establish stronger mandatory guidelines for limits for cadmium in children's jewelry, toy jewelry and adult jewelry and continue stringent surveillance at ports and retail stores."
Goodman also demonstrated a loud toy and said that any toy that makes sounds greater than 85 decibels could cause hearing loss even at young ages. The report recommended, "If a toy seems too loud for you, then it is probably too loud for your child. Put tape over the speakers of toys you already own that are too loud or remove the batteries. Report a loud toy to the CPSC website, www.saferproducts.gov."
Goodman said that parents should consult www.toysafety.mobi and www.saferproducts.gov to check out recalls and report problems they have had with toys. She stressed that not all unsafe toys are on the websites.
"Our toy list is only a small sampling," she said. "If a toy isn't on the list that doesn't mean it's safe."
Puppolo thanked MassPIRG for its efforts and said, "It's important to raise awareness. In the hustle and bustle, these things can be forgotten."
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