As part of their annual "Trouble in Toyland" report, the Illinois Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) announced on Tuesday that they have created an interactive website and smart phone tool that will allow consumers to report potentially dangerous toys. As part of their efforts they also produced a shoppers guide designed to help parents identify dangerous toys.

According to the PIRG, the smart phone application (for the iphone and others) and the shoppers guide focus on three categories of toy hazards: toys that may pose choking hazards, toys that are excessively loud, and toys that contain the toxic chemicals like lead and phthalates. This focus stems from findings in the annual report which showed continuing toy threats in these three areas despite tougher safety regulations.

With respect to choking, the PIRG stresses that "Despite a ban on small parts in toys for children under three, there are still toys available that pose serious choking hazards. Between 1990 and 2008, at least 196 children died after choking or asphyxiating on a toy or toy part; three died in 2008 alone."

Excessively loud toys also continue to pose a serious threat according to the PIRG. "Many toys tested exceed(ed) 85 decibels sound level, which is higher than the highest volume level recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials. Almost 15 percent of children aged 6 to 17 show signs of hearing loss."

Whereas toxins were concerned, the PIRG report emphasized that although toys and other children’s products containing more than 0.1% of phthalates have been banned they found many children’s products that contained concentrations of phthalates up to 7.2%. Similarly they found lead in toys found on store shelves despite strict guidelines put into place earlier this year.

Other information about unsafe toys is readily available through Healthystuff.org which has a tool that allows consumers to search for toys by brand and type.