Illinois’ PIRG, a non-profit public interest group, released results of recent testing for toxic chemicals on toys this week, finding that three items intended for children exceeded current safety standards, and two products contact phthalates in violation of federal law.

The tested toys and products can be seen at HealthyToys.org, where they will be incorporated into a much larger list. Researchers at HealthyToys.org are readying a long list of items that will be available on Dec. 2, in time for the winter holidays.

“After the wave of record recalls of dangerous toys just two years ago, we’re glad to see that most of the toys we tested are in compliance with the law,” said Brian Imus, director of Illinois PIRG and an author of the report. “But not all toys are safe and we must do more to prevent toxic toys from ending up on store shelves.”

For more specifics, the PIRG referred people to the list at HealthyStuff.org.

HealthyStuff.org research director Jeff Gearhart said that it was “disappointing” that the early testing still found “significant problems in jewelry.”

Based on that, he said the group would maintain its standing cautionary position on kids costume jewelry, which has been found to contain lead in previous studies, as did two pieces vetted in this latest round of tests. HealthyStuff advises parents to forego the glitzy, inexpensive jewelry, for now.

But, he added, “the initial snapshot (of toys tested in Illinois) shows we’re seeing some overall improvement in toys this year, and we’ll know more once we get a larger sample.”

For the past three years, the group has tested thousands of toys, typically more than 700 before the holidays.

On the preview list of 87 toys released by the PIRG, at least three toys exceed the safe and allowable level of lead, which is set at 300 parts per million, down from the previously allowed 600 parts per million. (Pictures of the toys were not available.)

Two of the offending items are sold at Claire’s, a costume jewelry store that targets tweens and teens

The first is a Halloween item described as a LOVE Pink Block cell phone accessory. The other is a pair of clip-on dangling “diamond” earrings that registered a high reading of lead of 26,692 parts per million.

Another  item that tested above safe limits for lead is a toy car by Marvel Hot Rodz with a Spiderman head that tests showed contained more than six times the allowable levels.

Lead exposure has long been known to cause health problems in developing children, even causing cognitive issues. HealthyStuff.org, however, warns that just because a chemical is detected in a toy, doesn’t mean there’s been direct exposure to it. For more info on why HealthyStuff tests for certain chemicals and how they can affect childrens’ bodies when there is direct contact, see the Chemicals of Concern introduction on their website.

In a news release, PIRG also called out the problem of products that contain phthalates, which turn up in plastics and cosmetics are known to cause “a wide array of harm to the human body; from reproductive defects in men and women, premature birth, early onset puberty for young girls, and lower sperm counts in men.”

However, because HealthyStuff.org does not list phthalates among the toxic components it tests for, people cannot currently reference these products.

The Illinois PIRG (Public Interest Research Group), part of a federation of PIRGs nationally, called for better regulation to catch violators before they make it to market.

The good news? Most of the toys tested are being rated as having a “low” level of hazardous chemical content.

The school uniform of choice for tweens and teens is pretty simple: a T-shirt and jeans (or anything denim).

For the student who is a humanitarian or environmentally oriented, we’ve collected a line-up of Ts that are not just made of organic materials and under fair-trade conditions – they carry messages of support for Earth-friendly concerns.

• Common Threadz is a non-profit group working to aid orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. Every T-shirt purchase helps the group pay for a school uniform or food. Check out Orphan Collection – Ts designed by the African children, complete with a picture and some information about each child. In one, Wandile Dindi of South Africa (above, left) displays his design for a T-shirt (above, right). The site provides information about each child. For Wandile: ”His father has passed and his mother is unemployed and cannot support him. . . .” The Orphan T-shirts range from kids sizes ($29) through adult ($38 for women’s and $44 for men’s).

• The World of Good site on eBay offers thousands of items – from art to musical instruments – that are handmade, fair trade and “ethically sourced.” That means lots of holistic T-shirts. Examples: “Make Tea Not War” organic cotton, by The Greater Green, for $22; or a guy’s “Fight Globally” shirt, $28, (right) by AutonomieProject.

• Seattle-based Greenloop features lots of eco-friendly Ts. Everything they sell is made of natural or recycled material, and they say they buy from environmentally friendly and fair labor shops. Project Green Label has a cute Earthy statement on their organic cotton T-shirt ($38), and Andira’s pretty “Rain Forest” sky blue shirt ($38) is graphically pleasing.
  For guys, Sub_Urban Riot makes an energy statement with an organic T festooned with graphic wind turbines ($34). Green Label Organic has a funny “tree mugger” picture (left) on their green ring-spun organic cotton T for $30.

• If artistic and handmade items are what your tween or teen prefer, Etsy is a great place to shop. The site allows creative artisans and designers around the world a place to sell their singular wares. Among their green-statement Ts, the “Peace, Love and a (picture of a bicycle)” ($26) would suit either sex, young or old. It’s made by Lofty Mornings. A flat-out statement of self may suit your student: “100% Ethical” (at left) is the message on a plain white T made of un-dyed organic cotton. The T Shirt Project creation is only $14.
  An environmental message – “In the trees I do believe” – is front and center on Perusha People’s T-shirts for men and women ($23).
  GreenWorks’ “Organic Couture” shirt ($26) is a flashy T for girls. They point out that the graphic’s ink is low-impact and water-based.
  Another commentary – “Local is beautiful” – adorns Rectangle Design’s T ($24). Kitten In The Engine offers up a lengthy statement of our environmental needs (It starts with “It is too bad that we messed things up . . . “) on their organic ring-spun cotton shirt ($24).

• HinixTees has a lovely lineup of women’s earth-oriented T-shirts, such as the “Back to Roots” burnout organic option for $20 (at right). Many of their selections are selling quickly, so check it out fast.

• At California Rising’s website, there are plenty of trendy green messages on men’s T-shirts, although at $65 they’re a bit pricey.

• Edun is a popular clothing line aimed at providing sustainable work for people in developing countries. A guy’s V-neck shirt features the company’s “Freedom Respect” message for $50 (that’s a reduced price). The shirt is made in Uganda.

• If you’re a girl with Zen-like leanings, the Om Girl Freedom Buddha T-shirt of organic cotton at Vickerey will make your mindfulness known (for $44). Students who have opted to stop eating meat will love the Herbivore line, including their uni-sex “Herbivore for Life” shirt (at right, $23).

• Subtle, simple holistic messages (such as “Today matters”) are on Buy Green’s scoop-neck girls’ bamboo/organic cotton T-shirts, on sale for $29. Made by Tees for Change, the shirts are made with low-impact dyes, water-based inks, and are sweatshop-free (they’re made in Turkey).

• Oh Buggy’s line of organic Ts are hot-sellers. They are selling out quickly, but you can still grab the Pandamonium shirt for guys or girls (it’s a “mini-commentary” on the destruction of pandas’ natural habitats) for $30 (below, left).

• And girls will find short- and long-sleeved Ts and tanks that sport their favorite eco-foundation logo at PositiviTee. The company sends 10 percent of the cost of the shirts to their matching charities. For example, the tangerine T with a swinging chimp supports the Jane Goodall Institute and the turquoise shirt with fish benefits Greenpeace. (below, right; $48.95)

Copyright © 2008 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

You might have seen Liya Kabede on fashion magazine covers or runway shows.

Perhaps you’ve heard that she was a goodwill ambassador for the World Health Organization, working to bring attention to health issues in developing countries. She started her own foundation in 2006 to add to that support.

But if you’re into trendy kiddie clothing, you probably know Kabede (right) best for her Lemlem (that means “flourish” or “to bloom” in Amharic) line. Kabede, born in Addis Abbaba, continues her support of Ethiopia  by paying men there do the hand-weaving of her clothes, and women to sew the embroidery. The pretty, popular and hand-made line of clothes are made of 100 percent natural cotton, and you can see her spring lineup on her Web site.

Previously, you could only find Lemlem clothes in upscale stores or small boutiques.

Here’s the big news: Lemlem is going mainstream with a small collection of girls’ clothes available from all-American J. Crew.

Right now there are only six items to choose from on the J. Crew Web site (and one of them is a scarf for mom, $80), but the artisan nature of each piece likely makes production limited. They’re not cheap, either, with an embroidered dress for $158 (left) and a sundress for $138.

There is also a skirt at $98, a girl’s hoodie for $150 (below left) and a pretty party dress for $175 (below right).

Copyright © 2008 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

Earth Day 2009 is April 22, and Amazon is launching Earth Day Savings at www.amazon.com/earthday, where customers can save on organic groceries, home products, CFLs and more. Additionally, learn how to go Extreme Green, Ease Into Green, or be Eco-Chic.

Amazon and ENERGY STAR will also host the Earth Day Sweepstakes. Five first-place winners will receive two ENERGY STAR-qualified powerhouses: a Toshiba laptop and a Brother multifunction printer. Fifteen second-place winners will receive the Brother printer. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Enter here by April 22, 2009. See Official Rules for details.

You can also celebrate with recycled and repurposed wood and plastic toys. Shop our large selection of eco-friendly toys from Spring Toys, Green Toys, Plan Toys, and more.

The Eco Gift Festival in Santa Monica set for next week claims to be the biggest green gift convention in the world. With a projected attendance of 15,000 and 150 vendors, it may well be, we’re not sure, but it certainly promises a big presence with sellers offering gifts made from garbage, recycled silver and gold, bamboo, plant-based medicinal oils (hey, it’s LA), and even poop.

Make that elephant poop, which a company quaintly named “Mr. Ellie Pooh” turns into paper products.

Now that’s thinking large. And it’s not the only eye-popper expected at the festival. Cool Planet Jewelry founder Jerry Cope gives 100 percent of his profits from the company’s recycled silver and gold Stop Global Warming collection to stopglobalwarming.org. Tom’s Shoes, inspired to put shoes on the feet of impoverished Argentinian children, gives a pair of shoes for each pair sold. They’ve donated in Argentina and South Africa.

And there are companies ready to shower all of us with helpful innovations. Like the Lucky Earth Waterless Carwash, which sells a way to wash your car without water. Conservy, man.

Other vendors will be selling eco-friendly baby products, reusable “to go” utensils, green cosmetics, garden products, totes, sportswear and recycled glass jewelry. You name it, from Goji Berries to the “Inconvenient Bag“, to that elephant poopie stationery (which benefits elephants, naturally) if it’s hot on the green scene, you’ll see it at Eco Gift.

Arianna Huffington, founder of the Huffington Post and author of several books, will be the festival’s key note speaker, with several environmentalists and green business leaders, such as Mallika Chopra (wellness expert, daughter of Deepak), Blake Mycoskie (founder of the aforementioned Tom’s Shoes), eco-designer Linda Loudermilk and Rainforest Action Network executive director Michael Brune, speaking throughout the day.

So if you’re in the LA area, head over to the Santa Monica Civic Center on the weekend of Dec. 12-14 for the festival, founded by Tommy Rosen in 2007 and sponsored by the Los Angeles Times, among other groups.

If you can’t make it, check out their vendors, some of them are the creme de la creme of green and offer online shopping.  

Copyright © 2008 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

Brooklyn-based Green Depot,  which supplies the New York area with eco-friendly building and living solutions,  announced it will open a retail space on the Bowery in Manhattan. The store will carry practical “green” do-it-yourself, lifestyle and design products in five categories to help customers choose products that address the aspects of green living that are most important to themselves, their budgets and their families.

The new store will include a resource and design center where Green Depot staff work with customers to select the appropriate green building materials. The store also says it will have New York City’s first zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint center.

Green Depot will be seeking LEED certification for the new store, which is located in the historic 1885 Young Men’s Institute at 222 Bowery, previously home to the first YMCA in New York City, the studios of renowned artists Mark Rothko and Fernand Léger, and author William Burroughs.