Top 9 toys found with high toxins by Ann Arbor's Ecology Center
The Ann Arbor non-profit organization Ecology Center released its 3rd-annual Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemical Toys on Tuesday.
The guide is made up of a database on www.HealthyStuff.org of children's products as well as apparel and accessories, pet toys and vehicles - it has tested for toxic levels of lead, arsenic, bromium, cadmium, mercury and chlorine.
Here's a look at some of the toys with the highest levels of these chemicals you may find on store shelves this holiday season.
1. Ice Age Backpack: Has high levels of chlorine in a scree print on the backpack and a medium level of cadmium in a zipper slider on the bag.
2. 6M “greenbaby” Recyling Shirt: Has high levels of lead and arsenic and medium levels of chlorine in a screen print on this baby shirt. Chromium was also detected on the shirt.
3. Dora the Explorer Activity Totes: Tested high for lead on the orange vinyl and backing of the tote. Also tested for medium for chlorine on much of the bag including Dora’s purple dress. High levels of arsenic were found on the tote.
4. High School Musical Argyle Belt: Tested high for lead, arsenic and cadmium in the patterned side of the belt. It also tested positive for medium levels of chlorine and has at least some chromium, tin and antimony.
5. Disney Princess sandals: The pair tested by the Ecology Center had high levels of bromine on the princesses faces which are attached to the sandals and had medium levels of chlorine on a pink strap and the insole of the shoe.
6. Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway - Gordon: It tested high for levels of bromine and medium levels of lead in black plastic attached to the toy.
7. The Original Little Red Wagon - Model #32: This Radio Flyer, Inc. model of wagon tested high for cadmium in the side of the valve stem and the best of the wagon. It also had low levels of lead and bromine in the rubber wheel and paint shavings on the wagon, respectively.
8. Harley-Davidson Stuffed Doll Biker Club: The doll named Diamond tested high for levels of lead, particularly on its pink pants. The doll also has medium levels of chlorine and low levels of arsenic, mercury and bromine.
9. Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit by Mattel and Bell Sport Inc: This set tested high for lead, arsenic and bromine in the fabric and lining of the bag that holds the accessories. It also tested with medium levels of chlorine and mercury.
Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.