If parents thought holiday shopping was stressful, wait until they hear this news.
The Associated Press reports tests on 1,200 children’s products found 35 percent contain lead — many far above the federal recall standard used for lead paint.
Alarmingly, tests revealed only 20 percent of the toys had no trace of lead or harmful chemicals, according to the Ecology Center and Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), which conducted the tests.
Containing high levels of lead were a Hannah Montana Pop Star card game case, a Go Diego Go! backpack and Circo brand shoes. Mattel, Inc. recalled 21 million Chinese-made toys fearing they contained lead paint and small magnets children could inadvertently swallow. Mattel’s tests revealed lead levels 200 times over the accepted limit. The CHEK said jewelry was the biggest concern with 33.5 percent of such products having levels of lead above 600 parts per million (ppm).
“This is not about alarming parents,” said Tracey Easthope, director of the Ecology Center’s Environmental Health Project. “We’re just trying to give people information because they haven’t had very much except these recall lists.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics said a 40 ppm level of lead is the recommended maximum in children’s products. Lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities and behavioral problems. At extreme levels, lead causes seizures, coma and death.
For more information, check lists of recalled toys on web sites of these watch dog groups: The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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