US Stores Riddled With Unsafe Toys

Lead, choking hazards could be home for the holidays
By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 21, 2007 3:22 AM CST
US Stores Riddled With Unsafe Toys
A Baby Einstein Baby's Photo Book is displayed during a news conference by WashPIRG about hazardous children's toys Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007, in Seattle. According to the 22nd annual toy safety survey released Tuesday by the Washington Public Interest Research Group, hazardous toys are still sold in stores...   (Associated Press)

Despite massive recalls, hazardous toys still crowd US shelves, warn consumer watchdog organizations. Dozens of toys pose choking hazards, contain toxic chemicals, or use dangerously strong magnets, according to an annual toy survey by the US Public Interest
Research Group released yesterday. Nine of 100 toys tested by the Center for Environmental Health had unsafe levels of lead. All were made in China.

"It's the beginning of the holiday shopping season, and it shouldn't be a minefield of lead hazards for parents," said the group's research director. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission "is a little agency with a big job it simply cannot do," said another watchdog. Congress is considering a bill raising the commission's budget from $63 million to over $100 million. (More lead tainted toys stories.)

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