Toxic Toys
In the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, we have a tendency to get caught up in the excitement and wonder of it all - the cold weather (and snow in some places!), the decorations, the twinkling lights, ice skating, delicious baked goods, and the sounds of holiday music.
We take extra time to visit with friends and family, perhaps volunteer for a local charity, and of course, shop for all the loved ones in our lives. But how many of us take the time to research the safety of the gifts we purchase?
A few years ago there was quite an uproar when consumers found out that the lead levels in many popular toys made in China exceeded what is considered safe. Many parents looked for alternatives - wood toys, toys made in the USA, or toys made in other countries that have high testing standards. And then there was the BPAs and phthalates scare - chemicals used in plastics to make them more rigid or flexible - that caused great concern for parents of small children, who tend to use plastic more, such as in bottles, teethers, sippy cups, and of course, toys.
As a result, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was enacted, with the goal of requiring manufacturers to adhere to a strict third-party testing regimen for all products intended for children ages 12 and under.
How then, are toxic toys STILL making it to the shelves? A California-based advocacy group recently tested more than 200 toys from large retailers such as Target and Walmart. They found excessive lead levels in toys that were on the shelves for resale - to you, the consumer. Among the toys were:
Consider supporting "Mom and Pop" businesses, companies that choose to remain small and local, products made in the USA, earth-friendly products, and handmade products.
Does your child really need another whiz-bang flashing-light plastic toy?
We take extra time to visit with friends and family, perhaps volunteer for a local charity, and of course, shop for all the loved ones in our lives. But how many of us take the time to research the safety of the gifts we purchase?
A few years ago there was quite an uproar when consumers found out that the lead levels in many popular toys made in China exceeded what is considered safe. Many parents looked for alternatives - wood toys, toys made in the USA, or toys made in other countries that have high testing standards. And then there was the BPAs and phthalates scare - chemicals used in plastics to make them more rigid or flexible - that caused great concern for parents of small children, who tend to use plastic more, such as in bottles, teethers, sippy cups, and of course, toys.
As a result, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was enacted, with the goal of requiring manufacturers to adhere to a strict third-party testing regimen for all products intended for children ages 12 and under.
How then, are toxic toys STILL making it to the shelves? A California-based advocacy group recently tested more than 200 toys from large retailers such as Target and Walmart. They found excessive lead levels in toys that were on the shelves for resale - to you, the consumer. Among the toys were:
- a Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit
- a Disney Tinkerbell Water Lily
- a Dora the Explorer Activity Tote
- Mrs. Potato Head manufactured by Playskool
- a Walmart brand black and yellow frog wallet
- a Disney Princesses pink belt
- an iCarly pink belt manufactured by Viacom
Consider supporting "Mom and Pop" businesses, companies that choose to remain small and local, products made in the USA, earth-friendly products, and handmade products.
Does your child really need another whiz-bang flashing-light plastic toy?
posted by The Well-Rounded Child at
4:58 PM
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