CalPIRG Releases Annual List of "Toxic Toys"

Parents fond of the phrase “don’t put that in your mouth” may read the latest report from the California Public Interest Research Group as avidly as a suspenseful page-turner.

CalPIRG released its annual list of toxic toys on Tuesday. It found some potentially dangerous stuff on shelves ahead of the holiday buying spree. The list is not comprehensive; the organization visited retail stores and just looked for potentially dangerous items.

CalPIRG Consumer Advocate Jon Fox said the three biggest sources of danger from toys are choking, toxic ingredients and loud noise-making that could hurt children's ears.

A simple way to prevent choking hazards, Fox said, is to use something most families already have in their homes: A toilet paper roll can be used to determine if a toy is too small to be safe. If it’s small enough to fit, it’s too small for a three-year-old.

See the full Trouble in Toyland (PDF) report here.

Here are some of the more familiar toys on the list and the reason they landed there:

• Little Hand Love book (Piggy Toes Press)
  Why It Made the List: Lead content
• BBF sleep mask (Claire’s)
  Why It Made the List: Potentially toxic level of phthalates
• Hello Kitty eye shadow keychain (Sanrio)
  Why It Made the List: Potentially toxic amount of lead
• Tinkerbell watch (Disney)
  Why It Made the List: Potentially toxic amount of lead
• Sesame St. Oscar doll (Sesame Workshop)
  Why It Made the List: Choking hazard from garbage-can lid
• Elmo’s World Talking Cell Phone (Fisher Price)
  Why It Made the List: Potential Noise Hazard
• Super Stunt Rat Bomb (Hot wheels)
  Why It Made the List: Potential Noise Hazard