Thursday, November 18, 2010

Lots of Toxic Toys Still Sold at Toys R Us


Toys R Us is STILL selling toys that can cause cancer and brain damage -- even though they promised two years ago to phase out toys containing lead or phthlates. They also promised to offer more toys that aren't made of PVC.

Guess what -- Toys R Us is still selling plenty of toys made of PVC. Chemicals that can cause learning disabilities, cancer and birth defects were found in toys featuring Buzz Lightyear, Dora the Explorer, Spongebob Squarepants, Batman, Mickey Mouse and more.

You can tell your elected representative in Washington to protect American children by reforming the Toxic Substances Control Act. Here's how.

You might want to mention to your senator or congressman that a report released today said that tests showed seven of nine Toy Story 3 toys were made of PVC. Of 60 randomly chosen toys at Toys R Us, most had chemicals that indicated PVC and only one had a label.  The report lists the toys found to have dangerous chemicals.

Tom Keegel, the Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer, took aim at KKR, the private equity firm that owns Toys R Us. "We don't want you poisoning our kids with toxic toys," he said today in a news conference. "We won't let you profit from poisoning kids at Christmas."

The report was sponsored by the Teamsters Office of Consumer Affairs and  the Center for Health, Environment & Justice.