Toy Safety

By Marie Hunt
Mommy MD Staff Writer

There is a mounting concern among parents and environmental groups about the levels of lead in toys. Young children may experience developmental problems due to an extended exposure to lead, and in a recent study involving 1,200 toys, a group tested the toys using an X-ray fluorescence analyzer, a device reported to be more accurate than home lead testing kits. Of the toys tested, 17 percent had to be recalled due to lead levels exceeding the federal recall standard.

A website developed by the Ecology Center and the Washington Toxics Coalition, http://www.healthytoys.org/, published a list of "worst toys" today. Several research groups were asked to help inform the public about the toys to be wary of as they shop this season. In addition, they list "best toys," toys found to be safe and environmentally friendly by the research groups involved. There is also a website, http://www.drtoy.com/, that reviews toys annually to come up with a list of "top 100 toys." Dr. Stevanne Auerbach, an experienced childhood specialist, has analyzed over 4,000 toys since she began the site, the results of which are accessible on the site. Besides safety, these toys are judged by other criteria, such as affordability, creativity, and educational benefits. The 100 best toys for 2007 are listed in categories such as Best Active Products, Audio and Video Tapes, Creative Products, Educational Products, Socially Responsible Products, Software/CDs/High Tech Products, Games, and Ten Best Toys, so that shoppers can easily find a gift that the children in their lives will not only like but can safely play with as well.

References

http://www.drtoy.com/awards/2007_3_list.php

http://origin.mercurynews.com/business/ci_7638906?nclick_check=1

http://www.healthytoys.org/