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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 20, 2001
For More Information Contact:
Nathan Queener, 406-243-2929
MontPIRG Survey Finds Toy Hazards
Consumer Group Warns Shoppers About Hidden Dangers;
Choke Hazards, Noise Hazards, Toxic Chemical Hazards, Buying Toys on
the Internet
Hazards posed by toys can still be found on store shelves across
the country despite passage of the 1994 Child Safety Protection Act,
according to a nationwide survey released today by the Montana Public
Interest Research Group (MontPIRG). The annual MontPIRG report, available
on the web at www.toysafety.net, has resulted in over 100 recalls and other
enforcement actions in the last 15 years.
While the group’s 16th annual survey noted some signs of improvement,
an estimated 191,000 people went to the emergency room for toy-related
injuries in 2000 alone; 78% (151,800) were younger than 15 years old.
“Children needlessly choke to death on toys, and toys that pose hazards
to children can still be found on store shelves,” said Nathan Queener, MontPIRG
Consumer Advocate. “Consumers should remember that just because a
toy is in the store, or doesn’t appear in MontPIRG’s report, it doesn’t
mean it is safe.”
The annual MontPIRG “Trouble in Toyland” report highlights potential
hazards posed by toys found during a survey of stores in October and
November. MontPIRG cautioned consumers about toy hazards in five categories:
choking hazards including balloons, toxic chemicals, hearing loss hazards,
scooter dangers, and purchasing toys on the Internet. MontPIRG
also identified toys that do not have manufacturer information, which
makes it difficult for consumers and government officials to identify
and recall unsafe toys.
Choking on small toy parts, balloons and small balls continues to
be the leading cause of toy-related deaths. According to new data
from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), at least 207 children
died from 1990 to 2000 playing with toys. In 2000, 17 children died
playing with toys, 6 of those from choking.
Federal regulations ban any toy that poses a choking hazard because
of the small parts if it has “play value” for children under three.
The group also warned of the heightened choking hazards associated with
small balls. Small balls (from a diameter of 1.25” to 1.75 inches)
are banned for sale for children under three. “Tragically, children
choke to death on the toys and balls that are small enough to be put in
the mouth and block the airway,” added Queener.
Fifty-seven children have choked to death on parts of balloons since
1990. MontPIRG criticized retailers for marketing balloons with familiar
toddler images like Winnie the Pooh or with “Baby’s First Birthday” messages.
“Balloons are a leading cause of choking,” said Queener. “Because
of the choking hazard, balloons are inappropriate for toddlers.
Consumers should avoid latex ballons altogether for children under 8,
and even then use extreme caution.”
The group warned consumers of toys containing toxic chemicals known
as phthalates that are added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic toys as
a softener. The chemicals are linked to liver and kidney damage, are
probable human carcinogens, and have already been banned by several European
countries in toys for children under three.
“It is outrageous that manufacturers are making toys with toxic chemicals
and often labeling them as non-toxic. Young children should not
be chewing on toxic toys,” said Queener.
MontPIRG identified a number of toys that pose hearing loss dangers
to children. According to a 1998 study published by the Journal of
the American Medical Association, almost 15% of kids ages 6 to 17 show
signs of hearing loss. No federal regulations regulate the noise level
of toys, but toys with sounds of 85 decibels or over can significantly affect
a child’s hearing. “Toy givers must be aware of the dangers posed
by loud toys. If a toy hurts your ears, don’t buy it for a child.
Congress and the CPSC should develop noise limitation standards for children’s
products,” said Queener.
MontPIRG also offered tips to consumers about the use of scooters.
Between January 2001 and July 2001, the popular scooters were responsible
for 68,530 injuries serious enough to require emergency room treatment.
About 85% of the injuries were to children younger than 15 years old, with
the most common injuries being fractures. CPSC has reports of 11
deaths relating to non-powered scooters so far in 2001. MontPIRG
recommended the following tips for avoiding scooter injuries: scooter users
should wear proper safety gear including a helmet that meets the CPSC’s
standard, and knee and elbow pads as well as wrist guards, ride scooters
only on smooth, paved surfaces without any traffic, and not ride scooters
at night.
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Consumer Protection