Dangerously Loud Toys
 Every
day, almost 140 million Americans experience noise levels that the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) categorizes as "annoying
or disruptive."(xiv) Karen A. Bilich writes
that children "are especially vulnerable to noise induced hearing
loss - which often happens gradually and without pain - from overexposure
to noise."(xv) Almost 15 percent of children
ages 6 to 17 show signs of hearing loss, according to a 1998 study published
in the Journal of the American Medical Association. However, at this
time there are no federal regulations in the United States that limit
the noise levels of toys. The European standard is inadequate because
it sets the sound threshold too high at 115 decibels, at which an exposure
of less than 30 seconds can cause hearing loss. The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that prolonged exposure to
sounds at 85 decibels or higher can result in hearing damage (xvi).
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Campaign for Hearing
Health also use 85 decibels as a threshold for dangerous levels of noise.
The National Campaign for Hearing Health, in its Toxic Noise Guidelines,
lists the following relationships between decibel levels and times of
exposure (xvii):
• 85 decibels: Exposure over an 8-hour period
risks hearing loss.
• 90 decibels: Exposure for 2 hours risks hearing
loss.
• 97 decibels: Exposure for 30 minutes risks
hearing loss.
• 100 decibels: Exposure for 15 minutes risks
hearing loss.
• 110 decibels: Exposure for less than 2 minutes
risks hearing loss
• 120 decibels: Exposure less than 30 seconds
risks hearing loss.
• 130 decibels: Any exposure risks permanent
hearing loss.
Standards
for Loud Toys
As of November 2003, The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM)
finalized specifications for sound-producing toys that include (1) limiting
the sound pressure level of hand-held, table-top and crib toys to a
level not to exceed 90dB when measured from a distance of 25 centimeters;
(2) limiting the sound pressure level of close-to-the-ear toys to a
level not to exceed 70dB when measured from a distance of 25 centimeters;
(3) limiting the sound pressure level of toys with impact-type impulsive
sounds to a level not to exceed 120dB when measured from a distance
of 25 centimeters; (4) limiting the sound pressure level of toys with
explosive-type impulsive sounds to a level not to exceed 138dB when
measured from a distance of 25 centimeters.
There are
numerous exceptions to the standards(xviii) and
the standards are voluntary. The standards, while a solid step in the
right direction, are flawed (xix) and should be
strengthened and stronger standards should be enforced by the CPSC.
This year,
NYPIRG researchers identified numerous toys that were dangerously loud.
For example, a surveyor identified a toy called “Learn Through
Music” manufactured by Fisher Price that produces noise at 102dB
at 10 centimeters and 92dB at 25 centimeters.
Fisher Price’s “Learn Through Music” is a dangerously
loud toy targeted to very young children
Recommendations
To protect children
from dangerously loud toys, NYPIRG supports the recommendations of the
League for the Hard of Hearing: (1) If a toy sounds too loud for you
in the store, don’t buy it. Children are even more sensitive to
sound than adults. (2) Put tape over the speakers of any toys you already
own that are too loud. This will reduce the noise levels of the toys.
(3) Remove the batteries from loud toys. (4) Report a loud toy to the
CPSC.
CPSC should:
(1) Enforce the new ASTM standards to the fullest extent. (2) Consider
strengthening the standards to be more protective of children’s
delicate ears. Specifically, CPSC should consider lowering the threshold
for hand-held toys from 90 dB to no higher than 85 dB.
NEXT:
Toxic Toys
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