New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand took aim at Thomas the Tank Engine and Hello Kitty on Sunday as she warned consumers about the hazards hidden in many children’s toys.
Gillibrand said there was a long list of toys containing dangerous levels of chemicals like cadmium and other harmful carcinogens.
“Too many of the toys sold contain dangerous toxic materials that have no place in any American toy store,” Gillibrand said.
“Santa is working hard making his own toys, which I’m sure are safe, but for the rest of us who are purchasing our gifts, this is when we do it.”
The junior senator presented a table full of popular holiday toys that had been purchased all around New York state and tested positive for harmful toxins.
“We’re talking about arsenic, mercury and formaldehyde, serious chemicals and carcinogens that surely no parent would willingly hand to their child,” she said.
Included on the list were the Charms and Angels bracelet-making kit by CK Crafts and the Hot Wheels Gift Pack by Mattel — both of which were found to contain high levels of cadmium, which can be absorbed through the skin and is known to contribute to certain cancers, Gillibrand said.
Gillibrand has pushed for federal reforms to restrict toxic toys from entering the country.