Hold For Release until 12/05/2007 at 10:00am

Popular Holiday Toys Contaminated with High Levels of Toxic Chemicals

Groups Release Testing Results at www.healthytoys.org

Lead, Cadmium, and Other Harmful Chemicals Found in Popular Children’s Toys – Leading Environmental Health Groups Release Testing Results Today at www.HealthyToys.org

For more information contact:
Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, 206-854-7623
Erika Schreder, 206-778-1506

Lead, Cadmium, and Other Harmful Chemicals Found in Popular Children’s Toys – Leading Environmental Health Groups Release Testing Results Today at www.HealthyToys.org

Holiday Favorites, Including Hannah Montana, Geoffrey, Elmo & Circo Brands Contaminated with High Levels of Toxic Chemicals

Seattle, WA—The Washington Toxics Coalition (WTC) today, along with the Michigan-based Ecology Center, the Toxic-Free Legacy Coalition, and environmental health groups across the country, released the results of their testing of approximately 1,200 popular children’s toys for toxic chemicals at www.HealthyToys.org.  The site—the largest of its kind—will help guide consumers in their quest for safer toys this holiday season and demonstrates the urgent need for state legislative action to protect children from toxic toys and other products.

Researchers purchased toys in six states and tested them using a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer, which identifies the elemental composition of materials in products.  The testing revealed that toys with shockingly high levels of lead and other toxic chemicals are still on store shelves.

The results of the testing were as follows:

• More than one-third of toys tested (35%) contained lead.
• Seventeen percent of toys tested at levels of lead above the 600 parts per million (ppm) federal recall standard for lead paint.  Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended a level of 40 ppm for children’s products.
• Other toxic chemicals, including cancer-causing cadmium and arsenic, were found in a number of toys.
• Nearly half of the toys tested were made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic.  PVC is generally considered the most hazardous plastic because it contains additives like phthalates that can harm reproductive development.

“We created this database because no one’s minding the store when it comes to dangerous chemicals in toys,” said Erika Schreder, staff scientist for the Washington Toxics Coalition. “We want consumers to have better information on toxics in toys this holiday season.  The gift we’re asking Governor Gregoire and the legislature to give our children this year is legislation to make toys safe.”

Representative Mary Lou Dickerson (D-Seattle) will introduce legislation in 2008 to prohibit the use of the most dangerous chemicals, such as lead, cadmium and phthalates, in toys and other children’s products and to give consumers information on what other chemicals are present in their children’s products.

“We are seeing way too many recalls of toxic toys and other products that should never have been on the market and endangering kids in the first place,” said Dickerson.  “We’re determined to enact a law quickly that will protect kids and help parents make the best toy choices for the safety of their kids.”

The good news is that safe toys are possible.  Twenty-eight percent (28%) of the products tested were free of detectable lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury or PVC, including many toys made in China. Examples of healthier toys include Amazing Animals Hippo by Fisher-Price (made in China); Caterpillar Grasping Toy, Melissa and Doug (made in Vietnam); and B.R. Bruin Stacking Cups (made in China). These results show that toy companies can make toys free of unnecessary toxic chemicals.

“As a toy store owner, I want to sell safe toys that kids will have fun with and will help them learn—not toys with hidden dangers that could harm their learning,” said Bridgett Brown, owner of the Seattle toy store Planet Happy (www.planethappytoys.com).  “HealthyToys.org is a great resource, but ultimately this information should be coming from manufacturers and the government.”

Researchers chose to test for chemicals that are associated with reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, hormone problems and cancer. Babies and young children are the most vulnerable since their brains and bodies are still developing and because they frequently put toys into their mouths.

“Even small amounts of lead and other toxic chemicals can harm the developing nervous system,” said Dr. Steve Gilbert, toxicologist and affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington.  “Toy companies have a duty to do no harm and children have a right to an environment in which they can reach their full potential.”

HealthyToys.org provides specific guidelines for how to petition government agencies and toy manufacturers to urge them to phase out toxic chemicals from toys immediately.

With millions of toys on the market, researchers were unable to test them all. However, visitors to HealthyToys.org can nominate other products to be tested.  The Washington Toxics Coalition and the Ecology Center will test the most commonly requested items each week through the holidays.

*** ATTENTION JOURNALISTS:  B-Roll and hi-resolution photos are available at http://www.healthytoys.org/press.resources.php
To arrange one-on-one interviews with experts please call Ivy Sager-Rosenthal 206-854-7623 or Erika Schreder 206-778-1506. ***

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