Toys Recalled Due to Lead

Toys featuring unacceptable amounts of lead paint are recalled in order to prevent injury or death that may be caused by ingesting lead. These toys are especially dangerous when marketed to children under the age of 6, who are more likely to put contaminated items in their mouth.

History

• Under the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, industries must decrease the amount of lead in paint used in children's products to 100 parts per million by August 2011. As of Jan. 1, 2009, the United States limit was 600 parts per million. Any product exceeding the limit is deemed hazardous by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

  In 2007, Mattel was responsible for one of the largest toy recalls in history. More than 19 million toys marketed by the corporation were recalled worldwide, many due to lead paint violations. Mattel toys with excess lead included popular children's entertainment brands such as Sesame Street, Thomas and Friends, and the Disney/Pixar movie Cars.

Recall Process

• All recalls are announced on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website. Take any toy in violation of lead paint standards away from the child as soon as it is listed. In each announcement, the commission lists details of the recall, one of which is a "remedy" offered to consumers. The typical remedy for lead paint violations involves contacting the toy corporation at fault to receive a full refund or replacement voucher.

Recent Recalls

• Toy recalls in 2009 include Shakespeare Casting Game and Fishing Kits, DesignWare Sport Balls, DDI Construction Play Sets, and Evenflo Switch-a-Roo Telephone Toys.

Warning

• Toys containing lead paint can be on the market for years before a violation is detected. Because lead is invisible and odorless, there is no way to detect the amount of lead present in a product without the aid of a laboratory. Children can be exposed to lead poisoning by putting a toy with excessive amounts of lead paint in their mouth or by putting lead-contaminated hands into their mouth.

  Lead is not banned from use in plastics, though it can form a toxic dust if altered in chemical composition by factors such as sunlight and detergents.

  Ingesting lead paint can cause lead poisoning, a condition that may be characterized by learning disabilities, poor concentration, memory retention issues and subpar fine motor skills. To diagnose leading poisoning, a blood lead test must be conducted by medical personnel.

Effects

• Toy manufacturers and their subcontractors offer refunds or replacement items in response to a recall, but they may face additional repercussions, ranging from death and injury settlements to sharp declines in the stock market. After announcing its recall in 2007, Mattel stock dipped 20 percent. However, the company still sells child-safe versions of the same brand-name products.