More than 20 children’s toys and products sold in Washington state violate the state’s limits on toxic chemicals, including baby sandals sold at Gap and Old Navy, a Minnie Mouse purse at Toys R Us and “funny teeth” at Fred Meyer.
The state Dept. of Ecology purchased 226 children’s toys and products from 10 retail stores in Washington state and two online retailers in the spring of 2013.
A review of the products found 15 violations of phthalates, a chemical platicizer often used to increase flexibility in plastic products. The review also found seven violations of lead or cadmium, and two toxic metal violations in the packaging that came with children’s products.
The Ecology department noted in a press release that the majority of manufacturers are in compliance. The agency notified the companies with potential violations, and said it is working with state and federal agencies on the issue.
The review focused mostly on big box retailers because the items sold in the stores are likely to be found throughout the state.
Among the toys that exceeded toxic chemical limits were a Spiderman swimming mask and flippers at Big Lots, baby sandals at Gap and Old Navy, bendable zoo animals and alien putty at Amazon, bath toys at Wal-Mart, pencil cases at Toys R Us, a bath book at Target, princess makeup at Claire’s and gem pendants at the Dollar Tree.
Click to download the list of children’s toys and retailers here. The agency completed five reports related to the testing of the products, all of which are available here.
The tests were done to measure compliance with the state’s Children’s Safe Product Act, which limits the amount of lead, cadmium and phthalates allowed in children’s products sold in Washington after July 1, 2009. The law also requires the Dept. of Ecology and Dept. of Health to develop a list of chemicals of “high concern” to children.
The full report was released in April and is available here.
A segment about the toxic toys will air on “The Impact” on Wednesday, April 23 at 7 & 10 p.m.