According to a Wednesday study released by the researchers for the health-advocacy group Ecology Center, at least one-third of the children’s toys in the US contain a high level of toxic substances like lead, cadmium, bromine mercury, and arsenic.

As per the findings of the study, findings on the HealthyStuff.org website, nearly 32 percent of the 700 toys tested prior to Christmas shopping contained one or more toxic chemicals.

The Michigan-based Ecology Center said that while there has been a 67 percent drop, since 2007, in the number of products that exceed the existing federal limits for lead in toys, almost 18 percent of the toys still contained the chemical, which is known to affect the nervous system.

The products with “high” concerns in terms of chemicals’ presence included ‘High School Musical argyle belt’ which has e high levels of lead, cadmium and arsenic; ‘Disney Princess Sandals’ with high levels of bromine; ‘Marvel Hot Rodz cars’ having high levels of lead; and ‘Cupcake clip watch’ which contains high levels of cadmium.

In addition to these products, the researchers also said that another concern related to the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in nearly 42 percent of the toys tested.

They opined: “PVC is the worst plastic from an environmental health perspective because it creates major hazards in its manufacture, product life and disposal, and can contain additives that are dangerous to human health.”