Toxic toys and BPA-exposed babies, just in time for the holidays

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Shop smart for your kids, or not at all: A test of 700 toys spearheaded by HealthyStuff.org found toxic chemicals in a third of them, including lead, cadmium, and mercury. The word you're looking for is: Yikes! There's some good news, though, says HealthyStuff: first, the number of toys they've tested that exceed federal lead limits has actually decreased by two-thirds since 2007. And second, in a sort of glass-half-full spin, HealthyStuff points out that two-thirds of the items they tested didn't contain toxic chemicals! Which means toy manufacturers can do better, and smart shoppers can score. The really good news, at least for confused consumers, is that HealthyStuff is creating a searchable database of products. Our friends at Consumer Reports also offer a comprehensive toy buying guide, including recommendations by age group, and a piece on deciphering eco-claims on green toys.

Of course, you could also subscribe to my latest revolutionary scheme: the No Toy Christmas. Join me in refraining from showering your children and the children of your loved ones with unnecessary doodads! Give them a handmade item, a dinner out, a trip to the museum, or a big hug instead.

http://www.grist.org/article/2009-12-02-to...abies-holidays/