Do toys still have lead in them?
Lead in Toys: Toys Still on Shelves. Most lead poisoning in this country is caused by lead-based paint. Although banned in 1978, it continues to be a hazard in 25% of U.S. homes with kids under age 6.
When did they stop using lead paint in cribs?
However, in the 1930s, lead paint began to be eliminated from cribs, toys, and other products commonly used by children. In the 1940s, several medical journals reported that this effort had been successful.
When was lead paint banned in the United States?
Although banned in 1978, it continues to be a hazard in 25% of U.S. homes with kids under age 6. However, about 30% of the childhood lead poison cases followed by the CDC are not caused by paint. Many experts believe that the culprit is lead in toys and jewelry.
Why did they stop making Barbie cars?
Aug. 2, 2007 Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars, is recalling nearly one million toys in the United States today because the products are covered in lead paint. According to Mattel, all the toys were made by a contract manufacturer in China.
What is Ruth Ann Norton's advice on lead in toys?
Ruth Ann Norton is the executive director of the Coalition to End Childhood Lead Poisoning, a nonprofit group based in Baltimore. Her advice about dealing with lead in toys is simple: When in doubt, throw it out.
What to do if you have painted toys?
1. Discard all brightly painted toys -- whether wooden, plastic or metal -- that have been manufactured in Pacific Rim countries, especially China. Toys that are particularly risky are those where the paint can be peeled or chipped off, and those that can be easily mouthed by young children.
Why are lead kits ineffective?
Because the kits detect only surface, or "accessible," lead, they are ineffective for toys that contain lead embedded below the surface. In most cases, however, a positive result means parents should discard the item. The CPSC recently came to the same conclusion.
Where are CPSC toys made?
The overwhelming majority of those toys were made in China, which manufactures 80% of the toys sold in this country.
What is the culprit in the death of a 4-year-old boy?
Many experts believe that the culprit is lead in toys and jewelry. In 2006, a 4-year-old Minneapolis boy died after swallowing a trinket made by Reebok, which contained more than 90% lead.
What was Eleilia Preston worried about when she gave birth?
When Eleilia Preston gave birth to her first child, the last thing she worried about was lead in toys. The stay-at-home mom, who describes herself as "over-the-edge careful," made sure that little Megan was always within eyesight. She documented each bite her daughter ate and washed all her toys, several times a week.
How much lead is in Megan's blood?
A second test, performed two weeks later at Preston's insistence, showed a blood lead level of 32 mcg/dL.
Why are BSN rubber toys recalled?
On Wednesday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled more than 30,000 units of BSN Sports rubber critter toys because of lead contamination.
Can you take toys away from children?
The CPSC recommends that consumers take the toys away from children and contact the company for a refund. “It’s unacceptable parents could unwittingly buy a toy contaminated with dangerous levels of lead in 2018.
How to prevent lead poisoning in children?
And don't stop your campaign to prevent lead poisoning at the toy bin. You can also protect your child from lead poisoning by washing her hands after playtime and before eating and going to bed (healthy hygiene habits to cultivate anyway). Ramping up her iron and calcium intake (think fruits, veggies and dairy at meals) may also be worth doing, since these nutrients have been found to help prevent lead absorption (but never give her supplements without her pediatrician's go-ahead).
When do you know if you have lead poisoning?
Unfortunately, children and adults don't show signs of lead poisoning until levels are very high (when scary symptoms like seizures or brain swelling can occur). If you're concerned that your child might have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead, you can ask your doctor to order a blood test before any symptoms arise. (Many doctors perform these screenings routinely between ages 9 and 12 months.)
What to do if you have high lead levels?
Luckily, if levels are found to be high, simply removing the toy or source of lead from your home will correct the problem in most cases. If necessary, there are drugs and therapies your doctor can recommend.
Is there lead in toys?
Fortunately toy manufacturers and retailers are well aware of the risk of lead in children's toys these days — and the vast majority of playthings stocked on store shelves are lead-free. However that doesn't mean that some toys slip through the cracks: A 2018 lawsuit by the state of New York accused Target and Walmart of selling toys manufactured ...
When did Mattel stop making toys?
On July 6, Mattel stopped operations at the factory that produced the toys and initiated an investigation. On July 18, Mattel took a reporter for The New York Times on a tour of a factory in Guanyao, China, and of Mattel’s toy safety lab in Shenzhen. At that time, Mattel executives say, it was unclear whether Mattel was facing a widespread lead ...
Why is Mattel recalling toys?
By Louise Story. Aug. 2, 2007. Mattel, the maker of Barbie dolls and Hot Wheels cars, is recalling nearly one million toys in the United States today because the products are covered in lead paint. According to Mattel, all the toys were made by a contract manufacturer in China.
What is the name of the toy that toddlers shake to hear?
Many of them feature Sesame Street and Nickelodeon characters — including the Elmo Tub Sub, the Dora the Explorer Backpack, and the Giggle Gabber, a toy shaped like Elmo or Cookie Monster that toddlers shake to hear giggles and funny noises.
What is the date code for mattel toys?
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the toys may have a date code from 109-7LF to 187-7LF on the product or packaging. A complete list can be found at nytimes.com, mattel.com or cpsc.gov.
Why was Thomas train recalled?
Earlier this summer, RC2, the maker of Thomas trains, recalled 1.5 million trains and accessories because a Chinese supplier had coated them in lead paint. At that time, consumer safety experts and toy industry analysts said that Mattel was unlikely to face such a problem. “There are companies that live up to their obligations to ...
When did Power Wheels recall toys?
And in its largest consumer action involving toy safety, in 1998, the company recalled more than 10 million Power Wheels cars. Speaking of the new recall, Nancy A. Nord, acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairwoman, said in a statement, “These recalled toys have accessible lead in the paint, and parents should not hesitate in taking them ...
Who is the president of the Toy Industry Association?
This summer, the Toy Industry Association has been working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission on new regulations to require more stringent safety checks. Carter Keithley , president of the association, said the federal government needed to help the industry block China from using lead paint.
