Toxic toys?

Toxic toys? It sounds like a punk band name, but, sadly, it is not.

According to CNNMoney, the Michigan-based Ecology Center tested more than 1,500 popular toys for lead, arsenic and other chemicals. The research group found one-third of the toys contained medium or high levels of chemicals. 

Researchers purchased the toys at chains such as Kmart, Target and Wal-Mart, as well as dollar stores and independent toy sellers.

The results from the study were posted at HealthyToys.org.

The Toy Industry Assn. was critical of the results, calling the findings "misleading to consumers at best."

Do the results of this study sound like an exaggeration to you? Leave your thoughts below.

—Lori Kozlowski

Photo: Spencer Weiner / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[GreenJunky]

I purchase all the toys for my kids from www.egreenplace.com because I know they are non-toxic.

I do not have to worry or inspect when I shop. Some of the toys are educational too so you can't go wrong with that!

[Dan Keeney, APR]

The only danger these "toxic chemicals" could conceivably have is when they are disposed of in the landfill. The various compounds that sound so scary are not leachable and therefore doesn't pose any danger in use -- even if it is swallowed. The Ecology Center is shamelessly misleading consumers with blatant scare tactics and what is the outcome? The news media jumps all over their pandering story. Please journalists, let's spend just 10 seconds looking at these stories before giving your readers and viewers the impression that their children are in danger. It's fine for environmentalists to strive to remove these substances from the waste stream, but this approach -- creating needless anxiety among parents -- is terrible. I do not work for any of these organizations.

[Collectible Toys]

thanks for this useful post. no compromise with child health!!!