GREENPEACE STUDY FINDS DANGEROUS LEAD AND CADMIUM LEVELS IN POPULAR VINYL TOYS

Washington, D.C. 9 October 1997

A Greenpeace report (Greenpeace USA) released today revealed that hazardous levels of lead and cadmium are found in vinyl plastic children's products. The study was prompted by the discovery of hazardous lead levels in vinyl mini-blinds and associated lead poisoning of children in 1996.

Mainstream vinyl products were purchased for testing at national chain stores including Kmart, Wal-Mart, Target, and Toys R Us. Many items featured popular children's characters like Barbie, Mickey Mouse, and Tweety. Lead-containing vinyl children's products were found in Boston, Boulder (CO), Chicago, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, D.C., and Montreal, Canada. In every case in which it was tested, all of the lead-containing products also contained varying levels of cadmium, a known carcinogen and kidney toxin that is even more toxic than lead.

An independent laboratory analysis demonstrated that products released toxic metal dust to their surfaces. Lead- or cadmium-contaminated dust is especially hazardous since it can enter the body by licking, chewing, inhalation, and hand-to-mouth behavior.

The current report comes only weeks after Greenpeace released an analysis of soft vinyl toys, showing that toxic chemicals, called phthalates, represented 10-40% of the weight of the toys. Government studies have shown that these PVC softeners can leach out when toys are chewed by small children.

"Children should be able to play with Barbie, Tweety, and Mickey Mouse without being poisoned by vinyl," said Joseph Di Gangi, PhD, Greenpeace Toxics campaigner.

Greenpeace advises parents to return all vinyl products to stores and calls upon retailers to remove all vinyl items from the market.

Scientific reviewers of the Greenpeace report included: Howard Hu, Harvard School of Public Health; Philip Landrigan, Mount Sinai School of Medicine; and Janet Phoenix, National Safety Council.

**Video footage and still photos are available**

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Kishi Animashaun or Deborah Rephan, Greenpeace Press Office (202) 319-2454/2492 Joseph Di Gangi, PhD, Greenpeace Toxics Expert (202) 462-1177