Numerous toys and other kids' products available for sale in the Chicago area either contain illegal chemicals or violate safety regulations, according to the results of tests by the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG). The report comes just in time for the holiday shopping season, which traditionally kicks off the day after Thanksgiving.
The federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, passed in 2008, lowered the acceptable level of lead in consumer products by half (and another two-thirds by 2011) and imposed a ban on six phthalates (Centers for Disease Control, PDF) commonly used in children's toys. PIRG's tests are the first of their kind since the new laws took hold and suggest some toy manufacturers are slow to comply.
On the bright side, most of the toys tested were within the threshold of the new regulations, according to Illinois PIRG director Brian Imus.
Substances such as lead and phthalates are toxic to people of all ages but children are especially vulnerable because of their smaller and still-developing bodies. Lead has been linked to brain damage and attacks organs, while phthalates have been shown to cause reproductive defects, premature birth and other harmful effects.
Elmo's Lunch Box and The Little Princess handbags were flagged as containing banned phthalates, while Marvel Hot Rodz and a number of items from children's toy vendor Claire's contain high levels of lead, according to the report.
An Illinois injury lawyer can provide better information should you be concerned about injury from exposure to one of the items in question, but Illinois law provides 10 years (FindLaw) from the date of purchase to file suit.
- Chemical Compliance: Testing for Toxics in Children's Products (PIRG, PDF)
- Overview of product liability (FindLaw)
- Database of recalls (US Consumer Product Safety Commission)
ShareThis
