Other Toy Hazards

This year, PIRG identified three other hazards: 1) children's cosmetics containing dibutyl phthalate and xylene, 2) unlabeled mobiles, and 3) injuries related to scooters. In years past, we also have identified pull toys posing a strangulation hazard and children's cosmetics containing toluene. This year, PIRG researchers did not find toys posing those hazards; however, this does not mean that they are off the shelves. Consumers should be aware of these potential hazards.

Toxics in Children's Cosmetics
This year, PIRG found a children's nail polish containing dibutyl phthalate, or DBP. DBP has been linked to reproductive damage, mutations, skin and respiratory irritation, and may affect the nervous system. (Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Di-n-butyl Phthalate, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Fact Sheet, Revised June 2001, http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/0773.pdf) People can be exposed to DBP by inhalation or from skin contact. PIRG also found a children's cosmetic kit containing xylene. Xylene, also known as xylol or dimethyl benzene, is used as a solvent, in drugs, dyes, insecticides, lacquers and enamels, and in gasoline for airplanes. (Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Xylene, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet, Revised May 1998, http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/2014.pdf)Exposure to xylene can damage the liver and kidneys; cause headaches, nausea, and vomiting; and irritate the skin, eyes and throat. Repeated exposure to xylene can affect memory and concentration; it is also narcotic in high concentrations. (www.epa.gov/grt.akes/seahome/housewaste/house/toluenex.htm. Accessed 4 November 2002)

In previous years, PIRG has found children's cosmetics containing toluene. Toluene, also called methyl benzene, is a colorless flammable liquid. (Chemicals in the Environment: Toluene (CAS NO. 108-88-3), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, August 1994.) Many companies use toluene as an additive in aerosol sprays, paints, spot removers, cosmetics, and perfumes. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to toluene occurs when people using products that contain toluene breathe it in, consume it, or absorb it through skin contact.(Ibid.) Toluene can irritatethe nose, throat, and eyes; cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and nconsciousness at high concentrations; and cause damage to the liver and kidneys. (Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet: Toluene, New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Revised August 1998. www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkeb/1866.pdf.)

PIRG urges parents to carefully read the labels and ingredients of children's products and urges parents to purchase only non-toxic nail polish and makeup kits, craft kits and other products.

Crib Mobiles
This year, PIRG found a mobile without a statutory strangulation hazard warning. Mobiles present a special hazard for infants; around the age of five months children become more mobile and begin to push themselves up on their hands and knees. At that point, mobiles left within reach of a child become hazardous; a child may be able to entangle herself in them, but lack the physical strength or motor skills to untangle herself. The CPSC has recalled nine crib mobiles
since 1980; five of these were due to strangulation hazards. At least two children have strangled on crib mobiles since 1980. ("Stuffed Toy Mobiles Recalled," 21 November 1979, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml79/79065.html; "Stuffed Animal Mobiles Recalled Because of Strangulation Hazard - Recent Death Cited," 10 September 1987,
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml187/87048.html, accessed 10 November 2002.) According to the voluntary standard published by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), crib mobiles should be labeled with the following warning: "Caution: possible entanglement injury: keep toy out of baby's reach. Remove mobiles from crib or playpen when baby begins to push up on hands and knees." (ASTM F9.63 (96a). Section 5.11)

PIRG recommends that parents and consumers look for mobiles with the proper label, and remove mobiles from cribs when children begin to push themselves up on their hands and knees or after they reach the age of five months, whichever comes first.

Scooters
Popular lightweight scooters, which first entered the U.S. market in 1999, pose a serious threat of injury to children. According to CPSC data, injuries associated with non-powered scooters have increased dramatically. From January 2000 through December 31, 2000, CPSC estimates there were about 40,500 emergency room treated injuries associated with scooters. In August 2001, CPSC estimated that between January 2001 and July 2001, there were more than 68,530 emergency room-treated injuries caused by scooters. About 85 percent of the injuries were to children younger than 15 years old. From January through August of 2001, the CPSC had received word of 11 deaths related to scooters. ( "Scooter Data," http://www.cpsc.gov/PR/prscoot.html, accessed 10 November 2002.)

In addition, the number of injuries related to motorized scooters is increasing. Motorized scooters are similar to unpowered scooters, but are equipped with either a small 2-cycle gasoline engine or an electric motor and a battery. Some manufacturers are retrofitting stocks of regular scooters with electric motors. For the first seven months of 2001, CPSC reported 2,250 emergency room-treated injuries due to motorized scooters. During the same period in 2000, there were 1,460 injuries reported. A total of 4,390 injuries were reported in 2000, a 200 percent increase from 1999. Thirty nine percent of those injuries happened to children under 15 years of age. The CPSC received reports of three deaths relating to motorized scooters from January through August of 2001. ("Motorized Scooter Use Increases and Injuries Climb," 22 August 2001, http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml01/01222.html, accessed 10 November 2002.)

To prevent injuries while using both motorized and non-powered scooters, PIRG joins the CPSC in its recommendations to consumers:

• Wear proper safety gear, including a helmet that meets CPSC's standard, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards.
• Ride the scooters on smooth, paved surfaces without any traffic. Avoid streets, or surfaces with water, sand gravel or dirt.
• Do not ride the scooter at night.
• Check with local authorities for riding guidelines and restrictions for motorized scooters.
• Children under 12 should not ride motorized scooters.

Strangulation Dangers from Pull Toys
The American Society for Testing and Materials' (ASTM) voluntary standard for pull toys states that in "pull toys intended for children under 36 months, cords and elastics greater than 12 inches long shall not be provided with beads or other attachments that could tangle to form a loop." (ASTM F9.63 Section 4.13.2) The cord could become tangled around a child's neck and be locked into place by the knob. The CPSC has the authority to enforce the ASTM voluntary standards and exercises that authority when necessary. The CPSC has recalled pull toys in the past, some of which were listed in our previous toy reports as a strangulation hazard.

PIRG recommends that parents should remove beads, knobs, or other attachments from their child's pull toy cord if the cord is over 12 inches long.