As parents scramble to find that perfect gift for their kids this holiday season, a consumer group says one of the hottest toys on the market right now carries high amounts of a potentially hazardous substance.
GoodGuide says during testing of the Zhu Zhu Hamsters toy, they found unsafe levels of antimony. The federal standard is about 60 parts per million, but good guide says it found levels of about 93 to 106 parts per million of the chemical. The toy in question is the light brown version of the toy hamster, known as “Mister Squiggles.” GoodGuide says this toxin is linked to cancer, lung and heart problems, fertility issues, ulcers, diarrhea and damage to the nervous and immune systems.
Antimony is used in textiles and plastics to prevent them from catching fire, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry. Prolonged exposure can also cause ulcers and diarrhea, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
The maker of the toy, St. Louis, Missouri-based Cepia LLC is disputing the consumer groups findings, saying all of the company’s products undergo rigorous testing and comply with all government and industry safety standards.
Attorney Jeffrey Killino is all too familiar with potentially dangerous products, especially ones geared toward children. When children were exposed to lead in Mattel toys manufactured in China, attorney Jeffrey Killino filed a class action lawsuit to compel the company to provide free testing of all children who unknowingly played with these dangerous toys.
Products that potentially contain hazardous chemicals can be dangerous. If you feel your child has been exposed and you have questions about your legal rights and options, please contact child injury attorney Jeffrey Killino at 877-875-2927.
