The crazy holiday shopping season is about to start.  Unfortunately, the cheap, bargain toys many families will gift to their children this year are toxic.  These toys are not just a little bit toxic…take for example Captain America!  E & E News reports:

The most toxic toy on store shelves this holiday season is a [amazon_link id=”B007RX4FMC” target=”_blank” ]Captain America soft shield[/amazon_link] that is marketed for children ages 2 and above, according to an annual report released today by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit.

The inflatable shield modeled after the one carried by the Marvel Comics superhero contains 29 times the government’s maximum allowable level of lead — about 2,900 parts per million, according to U.S. PIRG.

29 times!   That’s insane!

It’s not just Captain America that is toxic.

U.S. PIRG said it purchased various toys in September, October and November, then had them tested at independent laboratories. Some contained lead, phthalates — a chemical used to make plastics softer that can cause reproductive and health problems — or small parts that were not labeled as a choking hazard and were marketed illegally to children under age 3.

Other items children often use, like a Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles pencil case, exceeded mandated limits on chemicals like the heavy metal cadmium but are legal because they don’t meet the technical definition of a toy, Levin said.

Every year, we report on the “Trouble in Toyland“, and the situation doesn’t really get better.  This is the 28th year U.S. PIRG has been protecting our kids!