Personal Injury Law

Chicago Products Liability?: Toys and Other Kids? Products Sold in Area Stores Violate Chemical Standards, Say Consumer Advocates

According to the Illinois Public Interest Research Group, there are a number of kids products, including toys, available for sale in the Chicago area that either contain illegal chemicals or violate safety standards. Researchers from the group tested 87 kids? products for toxic chemicals. They published their findings last week in a the report ?Chemical Compliance: Testing for Toxics in Children?s Products.?

Examples of products containing Phthalates: Elmo?s Lunch Box and The Little Princess handbags. The federal government banned phthalates earlier this year. This chemical can cause premature births, decrease sperm count, trigger early puberty for females, and cause reproductive defects in adults.

Examples of products that contained levels of lead above the 300 parts per million that federal law legally allows: Marvel Hot Rodz, the LOVE Pink Block Cell Phone from Claire?s, Alligator Cell Phone Charm from Claire?s, and pink diamond clip on earrings from Claire?s. Excessive levels of lead can be highly dangerous. They can cause lead poisoning, permanent cognitive and behavioral disabilities, and developmental problems, seriously impairing a victim for life.

The Illinois Public Interest Research Group and HealthyStuff.org partnered together for these tests.

While both adults and kids are susceptible to injuries caused by lead poisoning, a child?s body can absorb up to 50% of lead ingested (compared to adult bodies that can absorb up to 15%). In an attempt to keep children safe, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled millions of toys over the past few years because of concern that too many products contained excessive levels of lead. Some companies have been sued for products liability because someone got sick or died from exposure to toxic substances in consumer goods.

The researchers? report also found Bisphenol-A, Cadmium, brominated flame retardants, and other harmful chemicals in other children?s products. PIRG officials want laws and chemical policies modified to insure tougher protection against these dangerous chemicals.

In the event of injury or death, companies that design, manufacturer, distribute, or sell dangerous, defective, or unsafe products can be held liable for Chicago, Illinois products liability. Manufacturers, distributors, and sellers have a responsibility to buyers to provide products that are hazard-free or, at the very least, provide warning of a potential hazard if a product is used in a certain manner.

Related Web Resources:
"Chemical Compliance: Testing for Toxics in Children's Products", Illinoispirg.org (PDF)

Related Web Resources:
HealthyStuff.org

linois Public Interest Research Group

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on November 10, 2009 (boomark / email).