Washington, DC — The number of toy recalls over unsafe levels of lead and phthalates has dropped by more than a third compared to last year. And while the U.S. government has noted efforts by China to crack down on unsafe toys, consumer groups have found that some toys on shelves still contain unlawful amounts of some materials.

"The Chinese government closed down numerous toy factories after the wave of US recalls and they are educating toy makers about our new rules," said Inez Tanenbaum, head of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, at a press conference.

The U.S. set new limits on lead and phthalates (chemicals that make soft plastics) in response to a wave of toy recalls starting a few years back. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act now allows 90 parts per million (ppm) of lead in toys' paint, and 300 ppm of overall lead content in toys. That will be lowered to 100 ppm in August 2011.

In 2007, more than 21 million toys and children's items were recalled due to high levels of lead. There were 148 total recalls that year and 162 in 2008. There have only been 38 so far this year, including about 1.3 million toys with excess surface lead content and 102,700 with excess overall lead content. Of the recalls, 63 from 2007 included lead and 85 from 2008 included lead. Fifteen from this year have been over lead content.

In addition, some consumer groups regularly test toys each year, and have so far found some toys and children's items that violate the U.S. law.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group's 24th annual toy safety report, "Trouble In Toyland," points out the following violations:

* A Claire's Boutique charm (right) that is 71 percent lead by weight
* A cloth book, "Rex and Friends," containing 1,900 ppm lead
* An Elmo lunch bag containing 7.2 percent of a banned phthalate
* A Claire's Boutique Pretty Princess Puppy Purse containing 5.4 percent of a banned phthalate

Tests commissioned by the Center for Environmental Health found seven toys and children's items with excess lead, including a Disney Fairies Silvermist's Water Lily necklace (left) with 22,000 ppm of lead and a Barbie bike flair accessory kit that contained 6,196 ppm of lead. Other violations included a Dora The Explorer Activity Tote, two sets of kid's shoes, a child's belt and child's poncho. Those were the first violations that the Center for Environmental health found so far this year, after testing about 250 toys and products since September.

Another group that tests toys, HealthyToys.org, will be releasing its latest update on Dec. 2. Check back for our coverage of the news. Last year HealthyToys.org tested 1,500 toys and found that one-third contained significant levels of lead, mercury, cadmium or other chemicals.

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