By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The New York Public Interest Research Group is out with its annual list of dangerous toys.
NYPIRG's "Trouble in Toyland" report provides examples of toys currently on store shelves that pose potential safety hazards.
Among them are Mattel's "Polly Pocket Pajama Jam," which poses a choking hazard, and a popular party treat called "Party Poppers".
"These are definitely something that can be damaging if they hit you in the face. And there are no age limits listed on toys that are similar to this," said Ann Zagare with NYPIRG's Buffalo office.
Ann Zagare is with NYPIRG's Buffalo office. Zagare said other toys contain a class of chemicals known as phthalates that are used to soften plastic toys. She said phthalates are linked to health problems, including the early onset of puberty.
Zagare said their search for unsafe toys dates back to 1986.
"We've been doing it for twenty years and in the beginning we did find a lot of problems," said Zagare. "But, even now, we have seen a lot of progress, but, actually last year, sixteen children died from toy related injuries."
NYPIRG field researchers visited 45 stores in New York, five of them in Buffalo. More than 135 dangerous toys were identified.
You can find a complete list on the NYPIRG website.