FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

One in Three Children's Toys Tested Found to Have Significant Levels of Toxic Chemicals

Including Lead, Flame Retardants, and Arsenic

In response to the overwhelming demand for information about toxic chemicals in toys, the Washington Toxics Coalition, Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, and the Michigan-based Ecology Center, along with partners across the country, today released the 2nd annual database of chemical ingredients in toys. The database is available at www.HealthyToys.org.

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In response to the overwhelming demand for information about toxic chemicals in toys, the Washington Toxics Coalition, Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, and the Michigan-based Ecology Center, along with partners across the country, today released the 2nd annual database of chemical ingredients in toys.  The database is available at www.HealthyToys.org.  Researchers tested over 1,500 popular children's toys for lead, cadmium, arsenic, PVC and other harmful chemicals in time for this year's holiday shopping season.  One in three toys tested was found to contain "medium" or "high" levels of chemicals of concern.

Lead was detected in 20% of the toys tested this year.  In fact, lead levels in some of the products were well above the 600 parts-per-million (ppm) federal recall standard used for lead paint, and will exceed the new U.S. legal limit that will go into effect in February.  Levels of lead in many toys were significantly above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended ceiling of 40 ppm of lead in children's products.  Children's jewelry remains the most contaminated product category, maintaining its spot at the top of HealthyToys.org's "worst" list.

"There is simply no place for toxic chemicals in children's toys," said Erika Schreder, staff scientists for the Washington Toxics Coalition. "We need stronger laws to eliminate the most harmful substances from children's products and to begin identifying safer alternatives to harmful chemicals found in other consumer products."

Researchers tested for chemicals that have been associated with reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, hormone problems and cancer; and for those that have been identified by regulatory agencies as problematic.  Babies and young children are the most vulnerable populations because their brains and bodies are still developing, and because they frequently put toys into their mouths.  The testing was conducted with a screening technology – the portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analyzer – that identifies the elemental composition of materials on or near the surface of products.

Highlights from the HealthyToys.org 2008 findings:

• Lead is Still in Toys – HealthyToys.org found lead in 20% of all the products tested this year, including 54 products (3.5%) that exceed the current 600 ppm recall threshold for lead-based paint, and the soon-to-be national standard for all children's products.  When children are exposed to lead, the developmental and nervous system consequences can be irreversible.  The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a level of 40 parts per million (ppm) of lead as the maximum that should be allowed in children's products.
• It's Not Just Lead – HealthyToys.org found a significant number of toys containing cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and bromine.  2.9% (45 products) had bromine at concentrations of 1,000 ppm or higher.  This indicates the likely use of brominated flame retardants -- chemicals that may pose hazards to children's health.  Other toxic chemicals found in toys include arsenic, cadmium, and mercury.
• Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC / Vinyl) – HealthyToys.org identified products made with PVC plastic by measuring their chlorine content.  PVC is a problematic plastic because it creates major environmental health hazards in its manufacture and disposal and may contain additives, including phthalates, that may pose hazards.  27% of toys (excluding jewelry) tested this year by HealthyToys.org were made with PVC.
• The Good News – The good news is that 62% (954) of the products tested contain LOW levels of chemicals of concern, and 21% (324) of all products contain NO chemicals of concern.  These products look and feel no different than other children's products on the shelf.  These findings show that manufacturers can and should make toys free of unnecessary toxic chemicals.  

In addition to avoiding PVC toys, the Washington Toxics Coalition's Healthy Holiday Gift Guide also recommends choosing plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper when possible and avoiding children's metal jewelry.  The gift guide, including specific gift recommendations, is available at www.watoxics.org.

Washington State paved the way earlier this year for new federal lead standards with the passage of the Children's Safe Products Act, which established the nation's strongest standards on lead, cadmium, and phthalates for toys and other children's products. While the federal bill will preempt aspects of Washington's stronger standards, several important provisions of Washington's law will still stand, including the nation's only requirement that children's product manufacturers disclose levels of other toxic chemicals in their products. Products not covered by the federal law but included in Washington State's law, such as children's cosmetics and products for children over 3 years of age, will also remain subject to state standards.

"We are fortunate that the Washington state legislature and Governor Gregoire have been national leaders on protecting children from toxic chemicals in toys," said Schreder.  "We're hopeful that soon toy manufacturers will be providing information on the chemical ingredients in toys as required under Washington's protective law so that parents won't have to guess whether their children's toys are toxic."

The Washington Toxics Coalition and the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition are supporting legislation this year to restrict the use of the hormone-mimicking chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles, sippy cups, and other consumer products.  BPA is linked to developmental problems in children and diabetes and heart disease in adults, and is used to make popular polycarbonate plastic.  BPA can leach from many of these products during normal use.

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*** ATTENTION JOURNALISTS:  B-Roll, hi-resolution photos and worst toy lists are available at http://www.HealthyToys.org/press.resources.php. To arrange one-on-one interviews with experts or a demonstration of the XRF testing device, please call Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, 206-854-7623.***

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