Toys that contain toxic chemicals, pose strangulation or choking hazards and are dangerously loud were spotlighted Wednesday by Beth McConnell, director of the Pennsylvania Public Interest Group.

The demonstration, held at the Kingston law offices of Hourigan, Kluger and Quinn, was sponsored by the new HKQ Foundation for Children's Advocacy.

According to McConnell, potentially toxic toys include the Hasbro Gloworm and Claire's Cosmetics nail polish.
The Gloworm's soft plastic face contains three type of phthalates, which are linked to serious health effects including reproductive defects and cancer. Claire's Cosmetics nail polish contains the toxic chemicals dibutyl phthalate or xylene, which can cause liver and kidney damage.

"We've got incredibly toxic chemicals that could be flaking off directly in a child's mouth," McConnell said. "These products don't need to contain these toxic chemicals."

Some manufacturers list products as "phtlalate-free," yet were found to have phthalates during tests in an independent laboratory, McConnell said. Toys testing positive for phthalates included the Baby King water teeter and the Cool Animal teether.

"These are items designed to go into a child's mouth to be chewed on and sucked on for an extended period of time," McConnell said. "Proper warning labels should be on the products and the labels should be accurate. These labels are deceiving parents and that needs to change."

Cititoy Inc. triplet baby dolls with pacifiers contain small parts which fit in a choke tube, McConnell said.
Other toys which contain small parts and choking hazards include Hot Wheels Rev-Ups Speed Shifters, Bob the Builder portable vehicles, You and Me Baby in Car Seat and Carrier and Thomas and Friends Sodor Sawmill Playset.

The Water Yo-Yo ball's stretchy cord can wrap around a child's neck and pose a strangulation hazard.
Excessively loud toys include Road Rippers PT Cruiser and SSR Concept. According to the American Society for Testing and Materials, toys should not exceed 90 decibels. Prolonged exposure to noise about 85 decibels can cause hearing loss.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, three-quarters of the 210,000 people who sought treatment in hospital emergency rooms for toy-related injuries in 2004 were younger than 15. Sixteen children died from toy-related injuries last year.

"One toy-related death is one too many because these are deaths that can be prevented," McConnell said.
Attorney Michelle Quinn, spokeswoman for HKQ Kids, said the goal of the presentation was "to bring safety issues that affect children to the public."