December 11, 1998
Despite passage of the 1994 Child Safety Protection Act, hazardous toys can still be found on toy store shelves across the country, according to a nationwide toy safety survey released by the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG). While the group's 13th annual survey noted some signs of improvement for safer toys, there are still a number of toy deaths every year from unsafe toys.
"Children are still needless choking to death on toys and dangerous toys can still be found on store shelves," said Kristin Anderson, representative with CALPIR. "Our thirteenth national survey of toy stores finds that the number of toy hazards appears to be declining and the vast majority of toys finally include tough new choke hazard warnings that will help prevent future deaths. But parents must remember that the government does not test all toys. Just because a toy appears on the shelf, or fails to appear on CALPIRG's list, doesn't mean it is safe," Kristin Anderson added.
The annual CALPIRG "Trouble in Toyland" report lists 20 dangerous toys discovered during a survey of toy stores across the country. At least 5 of the toys violate the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) small parts standard designed to prevent choking deaths. Five toys violate the CPSC's new small regulations. Other toys narrowly evade the small parts standard, but still pose choking and other hazards. The annual PIRG reports have resulted in 50 recalls and other enforcement actions in the last 13 years.
Choking on small toy parts, balloons and small balls continues to be the leading cause of toy-related deaths. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least 160 children died from 1990 to 1997 while playing with toys. In 1997 alone, 13 children died while playing with toys, 11 of those from choking. In 1997, an estimated 141,300 persons were treated in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries. Nearly half, 65,400 were under five years old. One tragic example from his year's statistics was a 2 year old who choked on a small plastic game piece. A 5-month old child chocked to death on a balloon piece. Forty-eight children have choked to death on balloons since 1990. PIRG criticized retailers for marketing balloons for events for young children, having found balloons that read, for example, "Baby's First Birthday" or picture the Barney.
"Balloons are the leading choking killer," added Kristin Anderson. "It is totally inappropriate to market balloons for toddlers," Anderson said. "We urge parents to avoid balloons altogether for children under 8, and even then to use extreme caution."
For the first time, the report also focused on the growing hazard of toys containing toxic chemicals known as phthalates that are added to polyvinyl damage, are probable human carcinogens, and have already been banned by several European countries in toys for children under 3 because exposure to toxic chemicals is especially dangerous to small children. CALPIRG called for a ban on phthalates in toys intended for children under 3. "It is outrageous that a scientist who buys a bottle of phthalate chemicals receives a full hazard warning, but a mother buying a teething toy with phthalates often finds it labeled non-toxic," said Kristin Anderson. "Young children should not be chewing on probable carcinogens."
"Shoppers should examine toys carefully for hidden dangers before they make a purchase," Anderson added. "While most manufacturers should be commended for complying with the new law, parents should not assume that all toys on store shelves this holiday shopping season are safe or adequately labeled," continued Anderson. "We wish everyone happier, and safer holidays and are encouraged that it is not all Trouble in Toyland."
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