http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/consumer-group-alerts-shoppers-to-hidden-toy-hazards2 Madison, WI--Hazardous toys are still sold in stores across the country, despite a new law overhauling the nation’s product safety watchdog agency, according to the 23rd annual toy safety survey released today by the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG). The group also warned that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is taking actions to delay one of the new law’s toxic toy protections indefinitely. “While the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act is a major step forward, many of its protections won’t be in effect until 2009, so it’s still Buyer Beware for this shopping season,” said WISPIRG’s Bruce Speight. “Worse, last week the CPSC told companies that they could continue to sell toys with toxic phthalate chemicals until they ran out of them, instead of complying with the law’s clear prohibition against selling them after February 10th.” “As a physician, I am concerned about the well-being of my constituents,” said Congressman Steve Kagen. “As a congressman, I am appalled that the safety improvements approved by Congress are not being enforced.” “Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our children. At this gift-giving season, we must all be smart consumers and consider safety when we buy toys and monitor children’s play. I’m proud that Congress passed and the President signed into law this year the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, legislation that I co-sponsored to oversee toy safety and ensure more rigorous Congressional oversight. But this must be the focus of all Americans, at all times. I applaud WISPIRG for its vigilance and for providing information we need to protect our children,” said Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). According to the most recent data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), toy-related injuries sent more than 80,000 children under the age of five to emergency rooms in 2007. Eighteen children died from toy-related injuries that year. “This report reinforces just how important it was for Congress to act on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act,” said Senator Pat Kreitlow (D-Chippewa Falls). “It also should encourage us here in Wisconsin to do our part, starting with passing a measure I supported last session that would give consumers more information about unsafe toys by requiring DATCP to compile a list of toys that can not be sold and make this list available to the public via the internet.” "Now more than ever we need to make sure that our children's toys are safe,” said State Representative Jon Richards. “We've heard of too many cases from China and around the world of unsafe toys. We need to recommit ourselves to making sure our children's toys are safe." For 23 years, the WISPIRG Trouble in Toyland report has offered safety guidelines for purchasing toys for small children and provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards. Because of the passage of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in August 2008, WISPIRG’s research this year focused on new standards for toxic toy dangers enacted by the law, using laboratory tests to identify toys that contain lead and toxic phthalates. Among the findings of the 2008 Trouble In Toyland: Lead in Toys and Children’s Jewelry: Children exposed to lead can suffer lowered IQ, delayed mental and physical development and even death. In 2006, a four year old died of lead poisoning after he swallowed a bracelet charm that contained 99% lead. WISPIRG researchers went to just a few stores and easily found three children’s toys or jewelry containing high levels of lead or lead paint. One piece of jewelry we found was 45% lead by weight, or more than 750 times current CPSC action levels. “Congress took important steps to address the serious health risks that lead poses to children, yet consumers can still find lead-laden children’s jewelry and lead painted toys on store shelves until the protections take effect next year,” continued Speight. Toxic Phthalates: Numerous scientists have documented the potential health effects of exposure to phthalates in the womb or at crucial stages of development, including (but not limited to) reproductive defects, premature delivery, early onset puberty, and lower sperm counts. Effective February 2009, the CPSIA bans toys for children that contain concentrations more than 0.1% of a toxic chemical used in plastics called phthalates. WISPIRG found toys that contained concentrations of phthalates up to 40%. “Congress clearly intended that the new law would also stop the sale of toys containing toxic phthalates in February, but last week’s CPSC legal opinion told manufacturers that can keep selling the remaining millions of hazardous toys until they run out, which could take years,” said Speight. “Congress gave America’s littlest consumers the gift of safety—they should not let the CPSC take it away.” Speight noted that WISPIRG’s DC office and Congressional champions intended to take every possible action to overturn the CPSC decision and restore the February 2009 ban on sale of toxic phthalate-laden toys. Choking Hazards: In 1979, the CPSC banned the sale of toys for children younger than three if they contain small parts. The 1994 Child Safety Protection Act required an explicit prominent choke hazard warning on toys with small parts for children aged between three and six. WISPIRG found toys with small parts for children under six without the required explicit choke hazard warning. “The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act gave the CPSC the tools it needs to do a better job for America’s littlest consumers,” said Speight. “Now it’s up to Congress to fully fund them and for the Consumer Product Safety Commission to vigorously carry out its new responsibilities.” Speight called on Congress and the CPSC to do the following: • CPSC should vigorously enforce the CPSIA’s strong protection against lead and reverse its recent decision allowing continued sale of toxic phthalates in children’s products. CPSC must also move swiftly to implement all rules required under the new law; must ensure that new third-party testing programs meet the new law’s standards; and, must also move quickly to implement the new law’s publicly-accessible hazards database requirement. • Congress and the Administration should work to overhaul U.S. toxics policy to begin to assess the thousands of chemicals currently on the market for which little or inadequate health data are available, and to require manufacturers to ensure that they are using the least hazardous chemicals possible. • Congress should fully fund the CPSC’s increased budget authorizations for the next five fiscal years, and conduct vigorous oversight over the implementation of the new law. Speight also reminded parents that the toy list in the WSPIRG report is only a sampling of the potential hazards on store shelves, and urged consumers to shop with a copy of PIRG’s Tips for Toy Safety, included in the report and at www.toysafety.net. "Be sure to buy age-appropriate toys, actively supervise children during play, and inspect toys to make sure they are in good repair,” said Nan Peterson, RN, MS, Advocacy and Injury Prevention Coordinator, Safe Kids Wisconsin. “And remember, some gifts are not complete unless proper protective gear is included: a bike helmet is a necessity, not an accessory." "While we have a lot of work to do to ensure that our toys are safe, I’m confident that implementation of federal legislation and the work of WISPIRG will ensure that our holiday season will be happier and safer for Wisconsin’s families," said State Senator Dave Hansen. “As has been noted, today, progress is being made, but federal agency foot dragging has also occurred,” said State Representative Jim Soletski. “We will all continue to push to implement new laws to protect our children and get harmful products off the market. Meanwhile, I urge everyone to be careful when purchasing toys for children this holiday season. Let’s keep our little loved ones safe.” “Shoppers should remember to examine all toys carefully for hidden dangers before you make a purchase this holiday season,” Speight concluded. ### WISPIRG, the Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group, takes on powerful interests on behalf of its members, working to win concrete results for our health and our well-being. The full report is available at www.wispirg.org. More information on toy safety is available at PIRG’s toysafety.net site. http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/consumer-group-alerts-shoppers-to-hidden-toy-hazards2 Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:16:06 -0600 http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/wispirg-applauds-senate-passage-of-comprehensive-cpsc-reform-urges-swift-negotiations-with-house http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/wispirg-applauds-senate-passage-of-comprehensive-cpsc-reform-urges-swift-negotiations-with-house Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:42:08 -0500 http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/-retailers-misleading-consumers-on-the-digital-television-dtv-transition WISPIRG conducts survey of national TV retail stores and finds that consumers are getting mixed signals. http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/-retailers-misleading-consumers-on-the-digital-television-dtv-transition Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:48:06 -0600 http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/-consumer-group-alerts-shoppers-to-hidden-toy-hazards http://www.wispirg.org/news-releases/consumer-protection/consumer-protection-news/-consumer-group-alerts-shoppers-to-hidden-toy-hazards Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:03:31 -0600