Tests Conclude Popular Toy Contains Dangerous Levels of DEHP
The New York Department of State’s
Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) has urged the federal government
to recall a toy known as Fashion Doll, a 5-inch doll wearing a pink
floral dress and pink shoes with blonde hair.
As part of its responsibilities, the
DCP conducts product research and testing and enforces New York’s
Children’s Product Safety and Recall Effectiveness Act. Testing found
that the Fashion Doll contains more than 246 times the federally
allowable limit of the chemical phthalate Di(2-ethylhexyl), also known
as DEHP. The toy is imported by Greenbrier International, Inc. of
Chesapeake, VA, and is sold at stores throughout New York State,
including Dollar Tree, where the Fashion Doll was purchased.
“During this holiday shopping season, we need to make sure the toys we are buying our children are safe,” said New York State Secretary of State Rossana Rosado.
“This toy poses an unacceptable risk to our kids and should not be on
store shelves. I urge Dollar Tree to voluntarily pull the item from its
shelves and call on the federal government to issue a recall of this
product immediately.”
The DCP contacted the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission
(CPSC) to request a national recall of the Fashion Doll containing DEHP,
and asked Dollar Tree to remove the toy from its shelves and
discontinue its sale. The DCP also contacted the importer requesting it
and its distributers cease distribution and sale of the Fashion Doll in
New York State and nationwide.
If anyone has the Fashion Doll at home, they can dispose of it by
simply throwing it in the garbage, or they can choose to set it aside in
a safe area and await any future recall instructions, which may or may
not include a refund component.
Phthalates are chemical substances often used in production of many
types of plastics, certain inks, paints, and other products. They are
generally used to make plastics softer. The National Toxicology Program
has concluded that DEHP is a reproductive and developmental toxin in
animals. The National Toxicology Program cites concerns about human
exposures to DEHP and potential health effects from such exposures,
especially in infants and toddlers. The Fashion Doll contained 24.60% of
DEHP, well above the federal limit 0.10% (for more information on
phthalates, please click here).
Hazards in children’s products are often latent and unfortunately not
known until someone is hurt. Accordingly, the DCP urges consumers to
follow simple safety tips when shopping to best ensure the toys
purchased are safe for children: always purchase age-appropriate toys; read labels carefully and take note of all warnings; keep toys in good condition and dispose of broken toys or repair them right away; and make sure any fabric toys are labeled as flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
Consumers who identify a recalled product in the marketplace, or
require more information about toy safety and recalls, are urged to call
the Consumer Assistance Hotline: 1-800-697-1220. Consumer complaints
can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/
Source: The New York Department of State’s
Division of Consumer Protection
