In 2007, more than 25 million toys were recalled due to the risks posed to children by lead paint or loose magnets that can cause intestinal perforation.
Unfortunately, we were not surprised by the recalls. Our annual toy safety report in 2007 uncovered four toys with lead levels ranging from 1.8 percent to 34 percent lead by weight. But the recalls did have a silver lining—momentum for lasting reforms that would keep dangerous toys off the market has strengthened considerably.
Why So Many Recalls?
Unsafe toys made it to store shelves because toy manufacturers had failed to ensure their own products’ safety. Our government spends less on product safety than ever before, even as globalization has fundamentally changed the way that products get to store shelves.
For the past 30-plus years, PIRG advocates have been working to stop the flood of unsafe toys onto store shelves and, ultimately, into our homes. We have even supplemented the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) inspectors by doing our own annual toy survey, which has led to more than 100 recalls and other enforcement actions.
“We need to prevent unsafe toys from reaching store shelves in the first place,” said Nick Theisen, representative of Arizona PIRG. “Finding out about unsafe toys after they hit store shelves is a stop-gap arrangement at best.”
That is why we encourage Arizona’s congressional delegation to approve legislation to give the CPSC the funding and authority it needs to hold toy manufacturers accountable.
Toy Safety Bill In Congress
In November, the House and Senate introduced different version of the Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act, which would lower the amount of lead allowed in products and increasing the penalties that companies pay if they break the rules. We’re working to make sure that both bills have the strongest provisions possible.
We released our 22nd annual toy safety report as parents began holiday shopping and as members of Congress prepared to introduce the bill. Here in Arizona, the story was picked up by several local newspaper and television stations.
“When it comes to the safety of our products, it’s clear that voluntary measures aren’t enough,” said Theisen. “We need more cops on the beat and a stronger CPSC so that toy manufacturers don’t repeat the same mistakes.”
