AUSTIN (KXAN) — A new report finds there are still dangerous toys on store shelves across the country.
According to the Texas Public Interest Research Group (TexPIRG), this year a number of toys were found with toxic chemicals like chromium and phthalates.
Officials say despite 30 years of hard work, they’re still finding toys violating safety standards.
“This jump rope which we found right here in Austin contains 10,000 parts per million which are ten times the limit,” said Melissa Cubria with TexPIRG.
The report also found examples of toys that pose a choking hazard, can threaten a child’s hearing and can cause serious injuries if swallowed. Reports by the organization have led to over 150 recalls and other enforcement actions.
Specific, key findings
TexPIRG found that the Fun Bubbles jump rope from Dollar Tree had 10 times the legal limit of the phthalate DIBP, which has not yet been banned, the group says. High levels of the heavy metal chromium were also found in three toys.
A fairy wand from Dollar Tree has small parts that easily break off, posing a choking hazard for children under the age of three.
Balloons pose the most serious choking hazard to children in the United States, the report says. Most balloon packaging has the required warning that the products pose a choking hazard to children under eight, but balloon packages from Party City included a second, “confusing” label that the producers were for children ages three and up.
You can find TexPIRG’s full report here.Original story posted on KXAN.com
