A San Francisco-based consumer group has declared the popular "Zhu Zhu Pets" toys to be hazardous because they contain the metalloid antimony in concentrations up to 46 parts per million (ppm) above allowable levels.
"There is no evidence that antimony at these miniscule levels causes harm," says ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross, who wrote about overregulation of chemicals for Forbes. "This group only did this to get publicity, and they succeeded. We only address this to say that parents shouldn't be concerned, and the public shouldn't be fooled by these alarmists."
"There are so many scares this time of year," says ACSH's Dr. Elizabeth Whelan. "This reminds me of when I was involved with a drive for Toys for Tots last Christmas. After collecting all the toys I saw them sorting and throwing out half of them because of chemical scares. It's such a shame."
Should We Now Fear Antimony?
By ACSH Staff — December 7, 2009
By ACSH Staff