.jpg)
Zhu Zhu hamsters, how safe are they?
The GoodGuide, which provides health (as well as environment and social) responsibility ratings came out today with their results regarding the top holiday toys from Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Amazon.
These toys were the ones they considered the most popular and most likely to end up under this year’s Christmas tree. The tests did have some good results with none of the top 15 toys containing any lead and two of the top 15 getting perfect scores. These super safe (according to Good Guide) toys are:
LEGO Star Wars Exclusive Limited Edition Set #7754 Home One Mon Calamari Star Cruiser
Pixos Chixos Design a Luxury Loft Pink House
Now for the not so good news, two of the toys tested that didn’t get perfect scores Zhu Zhu Pets and Bakugan Maxus Dragonoid are nominated for Toy of the Year awards by the Toy Industry Association.
Four popular toys revealed higher-than-allowed presence of two potentially toxic elements: antimony and chromium. Depending on the level of exposure, antimony has been linked to cancer, lung and heart problems while chromium has been linked to reproductive problems, cancer and to be harmful to immune systems.
In February of 2009, the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act introduced mandatory limits on the amount of these elements in toys. The current federal standard for both antimony and chromium is at 60 ppm (parts per million). The tests revealed higher amounts in these four popular toys:
Bakugan 7 in 1 Maxus Dragonoid with 466-807 ppm of Chromium
Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Learning Farm with 193 ppm of Chromium
Zhu- Zhu hamster (Mr. Squiggles was tested) 93-106 ppm Antimony
International Playthings My First Purse in Purple 76 ppm Antimony
Parents can check out the ratings of over 2,000 toys at www.goodguide.com before they buy.
Recent articles ~
Top 10 Twilight gifts 2009 - with links
Save with Christmas deals on video games
Top Christmas books for Toddlers with links
Grammy nominations - hits for the music fan with links
Tiger Woods text messages, voice mails and poor choices
Hot 15 Holiday toy list with links to best prices: 2009 Fabulous 15
Oprah.com 12-days Holiday Give-O-Way prize list and information
Comments
Important information!!
Just more hysteria. Note the complete lack of information regarding how much of these toys a child would have to eat in order to be exposed to unsafe levels of the potential toxins. Also note that nothing is said about whether or not the potential toxins could actually be absorbed into the system even if a child did manage eat parts of the toy.
I appreciate the info and think the zhu zhu is low enough to not worry, it's not like they will be in my kids mouths! Now the Bakugan has a lot and that one might concern me!
POLITICS at it's best. The big car makers tryed to put the Toyoya Prius out of business a couple of years ago by saying there was no overall savings. We all now know the truth. By the way are eggs safe to eat this week. I'm tired of this Bay Area
PC CRAP. I'm going to buy as many Zhu Zhu's zs possible and eat them all. By the way I wonder if there is any conflict of interest between these so called scienntists and maybe their competing toys???
Think I'll keep the zhu zhu but will use the site from now on!
Thanks for the information!
Third culture kids examiner
Seattle stay-at-home moms examiner
The pixo is my my girls wish list. :)
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!