Action 9: Report names dangerous toys to avoid this Christmas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — You may want to avoid certain toys on your child's wish list.
 
A new report stated they have high levels of toxic chemicals or are choking hazards. U.S. Public Interest Research Group put out the report, its 29th annual "Trouble in Toyland" study.  It tested roughly 200 toys and is warning parents not to buy some of them.  To see the list of toys and read the report.
 
"We need to protect our youngest consumers from dangerous toys," Sujatha Jahagirdar said.  She is one of the authors of the report.  She's urging toy makers to change these products on their own and wants people to know what they're buying.  "We think parents should have the ability to go shopping and not worry about whether a toy will poison their child or choke their child."
 
While many parents may not be buying these products in particular, it makes them think. Susan Groseclose said, "My youngest one is two, my middle one is four, and my oldest is seven, so he's always putting stuff in his mouth that the other boys can play with."
 
But the Toy Industry Association (TIA) criticizes PIRG's science. It released a report of its own that says the products are safe and reminds people the Federal agency in charge of toy recalls hasn't recalled any of them. 
 
When Action 9 asked a TIA spokesperson, Rebecca Mond, "Even if these are not recalled, why take the chance?" she responded, "All toys sold in the United States must comply with very strict U.S. product safety standards and these standards are regularly reviewed by the U.S. Government, by industry professionals, by pediatricians, basically, anybody who has a stake in product safety."