It’s been 25 years, but there’s still Trouble in Toyland. The annual report about dangerous and toxic toys was released today -- in time for the holidays.

The consumer group Maryland PIRG took toys to the lab for testing. Officials said many are choking hazards or contain toxic chemicals.

“Choking on small parts is a leading cause of toy-related injury, causing fifteen deaths in the last three years,” said Jenny Levin, Maryland PIRG public health associate, in a statement. “We are concerned that the 30-year-old small parts standard is not protective enough. Children can and have choked on parts that are larger than the standard.”

She said there has been progress in the past two year on toy safety, as changes have been made at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. But she said the government agency needs more authority over chemicals. The group says there is no requirement that toys be tested or labeled.

PIRG pointed to agency data that found toy-related injuries caused more than 250,000 trips to the emergency room for children and 12 deaths last year.

The report, as well as toy buying tips, can be found at www.toysafety.mobi.

Findings from the report include:

+In 2009, many toys and other children’s products containing more than 0.1 percent of phthalates were banned in 2009. But the group found children’s products containing concentrations of phthalates up 30 percent.

+Small parts in toys for children under three were banned, but there are still toys available that pose choking hazards.

+Lead and other metals have been severely restricted in toys in the past two years, but the group found toys with metals for sale.

Reuters photo of toy included in PIRG report