Consumer Product Testing Services

Huntington Beach, California, July 9, 2024

Last month, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of hundreds of gardening sets designed for children due to phthalate exposure issues. The kids gardening sets were imported from China by a company based in California.

According to the CPSC recall notice:

The brown handle strings contain levels of phthalates that exceed the federal phthalate ban. Phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. 

The items were sold by a major online retailer in the U.S. between January of 2024 and April of this year. Consumers are advised to immediately take the recalled gardening tool sets away from children and request a refund. It is also recommended that they cut off the brown handle strings from the gardening tools and dispose of them. 

“Over the past several years there have been numerous products imported from China and other countries that have been recalled due to the presence of phthalates,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Exposure to elevated levels phthalates are a concern for everyone, but this is especially true for children. While the health effects of various phthalate exposures are not completely understood, some are strongly suspected to be endocrine disruptors. Federal regulations restrict their use in certain child care articles and toys since children can easily be exposed to these chemicals by handling and chewing on items that contain them.”

Dedicated to helping manufacturers, importers, retailers, regulatory agencies and health advocates across California test for phthalates and other regulated substances are the scientists at LA Testing. Their material and product testing services protect consumers and can also be essential for helping companies comply with health and safety regulations to avoid these types of costly product recalls.

To learn more about phthalates or other consumer product, environmental, health or safety testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.