NEW YORK (Reuters) - Zhu Zhu toy hamsters do not violate U.S. standards for levels of the chemical antimony, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

"The popular Zhu Zhu toy is not out of compliance with the antimony or other heavy metal limits of the new U.S. mandatory toy standard," the CPSC said in a statement issued Monday night.

The news allays fears that cropped up after a report by a consumer group raised concerns about levels of a chemical in one type of the China-made toy. Zhu Zhus are one of the hottest toys of the holiday season.

Earlier this week, the CPSC said it was examining the toy. Antimony is used in lead storage batteries and sheet and pipe metal, and as a fire retardant in textiles and plastics. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prolonged exposure to antimony can cause lung and heart problems, ulcers and diarrhea.

(Reporting by Dhanya Skariachan; editing by John Wallace)