Lead Contaminated Toys
Toys containing lead continue to present dangers to our children. As Orlando injury lawyers we have found more reports of major retailers, including Target, Limited Too and Dollar General, that have more lead-contaminated children’s products in their inventories but have not yet notified the public, according to Congressional investigators.Certain products have been taken off shelves, but no recalls have yet been issued for the products, while the Consumer Product Safety Commission investigates or negotiates recall terms.
As reported in the media, the disclosures came in response to questions asked by the House the Energy and Commerce Committee of companies that had already recalled Chinese-made products because of lead contamination, including Mattel and RC2, maker of Thomas & Friends toy trains.
The House committee asked if the companies found any additional lead-contamination problems since the initial recalls. Target disclosed that two products it sold recently — David Kirk Happy Giddy Children’s Garden Trowel and Sunny Patch Safari Children’s Chair — had hazardous levels of lead. Interestingly, the company did not disclose how many of the items were sold before it became aware of the lead contamination in August.
Dollar General said that 192,000 metal key chains appeared to be contaminated, while Tween Brands, owner of Limited Too stores, said it had discovered lead paint on a decorative flower-shaped object included in the wrapping of a shower gel and body lotion set. Discount School Supply, a retailer based in Monterey, Calif., reported that three products in its inventory that were made in China or Taiwan appeared in preliminary tests to have lead contamination. The items were sold under the names Giant Measuring Chart, Rolling Storage Rack and Shaving Paint Brushes.
Parents and family must remain vigilant. Excessive levels of lead can cause brain damage, learning disabilities, and in acute cases, fatal poisonings among children. Sadly, more must be done before our children will be safe from preventable hazards involving children's toys and products.
