[MacroMama]

Just wanted to let everyone know that Healthytoys.org just released, today, their test results on numerous toys that were tested for lead, mercury, arsenic as well as other toxins.

We just received a toxic toy over Thanksgiving as a Christmas gift and we're going to have to get rid of it already!

Take a peek! There's also Healthycars.org, run by the same people, to check out car seats and cars...

 

[Pumpkin_Pie]

I can only seem to bring up results that were listed in November. Do you have a direct link?

 

[Lisa85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie I can only seem to bring up results that were listed in November. Do you have a direct link?

ditto

 

[Tofu the Geek]

I am confused by the results. I looked up 2 trains (essentially same train, different style), by the same company, made in the same factory, with the same parts. For one train, the web site says that the magnetic coupling has some lead and bromine in it, it gets a medium rating. For the other train, there is nothing even mentioned about the magnetic coupling and as such, there are no chemicals in this train, and it gets a low rating. So, was the first train an anomaly? or did someone forget to test the magnetic coupling in the 2nd train?

And then they tested a train set (tracks and train) by the same company and the train that comes with this set is the SAME train as the train they gave a medium rating and said there was lead in the magnetic coupling. Well, the entire set (track and train) gets a LOW rating and says there is 0 lead in the set.

Something is not making sense!

 

[MacroMama]

Those are really good questions. I think you can contact the Ecology Group for more info.

Either way, I was disappointed to find Melissa and Doug toys as well as Haba toys with arsenic, bromine, lead and mercury. Bah!

 

[twobears]

I was very upset to find the plan toy farmer doll, actually his hat to have a high level of lead. I called Plan toys and they are disputing the findings... so I don't know what to think.

:

 

[Tofu the Geek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobears I was very upset to find the plan toy farmer doll, actually his hat to have a high level of lead. I called Plan toys and they are disputing the findings... so I don't know what to think. :

Interesting. The train I looked up is also a Plan Toys train (my post is above about how in one place the web site says the magnetic coupling has lead and then when they tested a set containing the SAME train, it says ZERO lead). I am also going to contact Plan Toys.

What is the farmer's hat made of? Is is just painted? Because Plan Toys uses vegetable dyes and NOT paint, so that wouldn't even make sense for their colouring to contain lead.

ETA: I found the farmer and see that his hat is a removable item. It also says it contains chlorine/PVC, so if the hat is made of PVC, it most definitely could contain lead since lead is a common component of PVC. It seems VERY odd to me for Plan Toys to use lead containing PVC in something though, heck, it seems odd they would use PVC at all.

 

[wanderinggypsy]

This is a bit off topic but whatever Plan Toys stuff I've ever bought (the barn, it cost a fortune, a couple of 'younger' type toys, and a bunch of dollhouse dolls) didn't hold up very well at all. And Plan Toys customer service has, in my experience, sucked.

Just thought I'd mention it!

 

[Tofu the Geek]

So, just over a week ago, I emailed HealthyToys.org to ask about their discrepancy in testing of the Plan Toys trains (in one of my above posts). I also emailed Plan Toys in the U.S.A. and Thailand to tell them of the results and ask about the potential lead content in the magnetic coupling of the train. Neither company has returned my email as of yet. BUT, today I noticed that the Plan Toys train that I was asking about, has been REMOVED from the HealthyToys.org web site.

I have emailed HealthyToys.org to ask why these items have disappeared. Are they redoing the tests? Were the tests inaccurate? I want to know because I have several trains wrapped as Christmas presents for DD and if there is lead in the magnets, I want to know!

 

[Tofu the Geek]

Well Plan Toys got back to me today! They actually said that they test their toys on their own and there was no lead in the magnetic coupling but that the Healthy Toys report has got them to retest in case there was a problem with the first test. They are expecting the results this week.

Additionally, there is apparently a difference in how metal is tested compared to wood, paint, etc. so it is possible the Healthy Toys test on the magnetic coupling is inaccurate which is why the results are pulled for the time being.

 

[Pumpkin_Pie]

So, did anyone ever find the link to the December tests that the OP originally posted this for here?

 

[eepster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TechnoGranola I am confused by the results. I looked up 2 trains (essentially same train, different style), by the same company, made in the same factory, with the same parts. For one train, the web site says that the magnetic coupling has some lead and bromine in it, it gets a medium rating. For the other train, there is nothing even mentioned about the magnetic coupling and as such, there are no chemicals in this train, and it gets a low rating. So, was the first train an anomaly? or did someone forget to test the magnetic coupling in the 2nd train? And then they tested a train set (tracks and train) by the same company and the train that comes with this set is the SAME train as the train they gave a medium rating and said there was lead in the magnetic coupling. Well, the entire set (track and train) gets a LOW rating and says there is 0 lead in the set. Something is not making sense!

I know the company and site are retesting, but I wouldn't be surprised be differing results on completely identical items. If you were making chocolate chip cookies, and testing them for chip content I would not expect identical results for each cookie. If you made another batch the next day I would expect even more variation, even if you used the same recipe. Thing just don't always get mixed completely and stuff settles, etc.