Elmo and a dinosaur make bad toy list

2009-11-24 –So far this holiday season, five products made the list for containing lead or "potentially toxic chemicals."

This list includes a Touch and Feel Cloth Book called "Big Rex and Friends" from Priddy Books. The PIRG (Public Interest Research Groups) said that a red dot on one of the pages contains lead. Likewise, a metal charm that comes with the Alligator Cell Phone from the Claire's retail chain also contains lead, the organization said.

The PIRG also identified a Collector's Series toy duck that has lead paint on its face and body. The organization said that the manufacturer of this toy was unknown, but that it was purchased at a Dollar Tree store.

Two toys were identified containing "potentially toxic" chemicals known as phthalates, including Pretty Princess Puppy Purse from Claire's and the Elmo Lunch Bag from Sassy.

"Choking is obviously the biggest issue," said Jonathan Samet, publisher of thetoyinsider.com, an industry observer. He said that he didn't want to minimize PIRG's warnings, but the noise warnings did not concern him as much as choking and lead.

The PIRG also listed several toys deemed "excessively loud" at close range, meaning that they match or exceed 85 decibels within 25 centimeters of the toy, presenting a risk of hearing loss.

The organization pegged the loud toys as the Kota and Pals Stompers Triceratops from Playskool, the Secret Saturdays Cryptid Claw from Mattel, the Laugh & Learn Learning Phone from Fisher Price and the Bright Lights Phone from VTech.