(Almost) Everything you need to know about Lead Paint, Toy Recalls and Buying USA

Yesterday Brian left me a question I hadn't considered in the midst of all these toy recalls:

"What I'd really like to know as a parent is what is the danger really? How worried should I be? That's something that no company or regulatory body will tell you because they don't want to say "well it's not really a high risk" then get sued. I mean, will this lead come off in your hands, do you have to eat the toys, or what?"

And so I started wondering. If my Bean, who is 2 and therefore almost everything finds it's way into her mouth, were to chew on one of these toys for a few minutes...how much of a threat would it really pose? What are the risks, signs, and symptoms of lead poisoning?

So I went on a little web hunt today for answers, and shockingly, they aren't as easy to find as I had expected but they also weren't impossible. Here is some of the information and links I think will help you feel more informed:

First, this is the Center For Disease Controls information regarding lead poisoning in children.

The Mayo Clinic's article regarding Lead Paint Toy Recalls answers some basic questions. Here's an excerpt of the article:

Why is lead-based paint such a concern?

Lead is a natural element that's present throughout the environment. It's possible to breathe or swallow lead particles from chips of lead-based paint or contaminated food, water, dust, soil or other products. Although brief or limited exposure to lead-based paint or other sources of lead isn't likely to cause lead poisoning, exposure to even low levels of lead can be harmful over time — especially in children.

In extreme cases, lead poisoning may eventually cause speech, language and behavior problems, poor coordination and slowed growth. The most severe cases of lead poisoning may cause seizures, as well as permanent brain and kidney damage. Rarely, lead poisoning can be fatal.

Should I be concerned if my child played with a toy that's been recalled due to lead-based paint?

It's important to take toy recalls seriously. If your child has any toys that have been recalled, don't allow your child to continue playing with them — even if the toys look safe. Remember to keep the situation in perspective, however. Exposure to a recalled toy isn't likely to cause long-term problems, even if your child swallowed a paint chip from the toy. What's important is removing the toy — and any other sources of lead — from your home as soon as possible.

Dr. Sears (one of my favorite for parenting/medical advice) has a page dedicated to the effects and symptoms of lead poisoning and also mentions the misconception of lead in lead pencils:

HOW LEAD GETS IN

Children do not get lead poisoning from chewing on pencils. Pencil paint is non-leaded, and the "lead" is harmless graphite. The lead that poisons children comes from old paint, gasoline emissions, contaminated soil, contaminated water, and lead pottery.

CNN.com also has an article from the Mayo clinic that addresses lead poisoning on a more in depth level.

This CNNMoney.com Article was had some interesting information:

More recalls seen ahead

Americans should expect more Chinese-made toys to be recalled in the coming months, said the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

"If I were a betting person I'd bet on more lead paint recalls," CPSC Director of Information Julie Vallese told CNN. "It's clear that lead paint on toys is not isolated just to Mattel."

and included a look at Wal-mart's response:

A retailer's reaction

Wal-Mart (Charts, Fortune 500) said that it immediately removed the relevant toys from shelves, and placed a sales block on all registers.

It said it was carrying accessories from Mattel's Barbie range and two of the three Fisher Price items - Geotracks Freightway Transport and 6-in-1 Bongo Band.

The chain has asked toy suppliers to re-submit testing documents for both existing toys and those on their way to the store, so that it will have the most up-to-date information about the toys on its shelves.

Wal-Mart has also hired independent laboratories to carry out 200 tests a day, focusing first on toys made for children up to the age of three, it said. Top of page

This contains a lot of Mattell CEO quotes about the situation.

Parenting Magazine has online advice on How to take toys away with less tears.

The U.S. Product Safety Commission(CPSC) website has information on all recalled toys and includes pictures of all toys. The site also allows you to search by Month, making it easy to search if you are worried you missed a recall and want to see all products recalled in August.


Here is a search engine dedicated to helping you find Made in the USA products (Please keep in mind that even 'Made in USA' products can contain smaller parts, etc from other countries)

I did want to point out that Mattel is not the only company having lead paint recalls, it is simply the one the media is choosing to focus on. While searching the CPSC's site I found these popular character metal tops, these children's watering cans (sold at Jo Ann Fabrics) and these adorable toy alphabet trains.

I also ran across the article, "Top 20 things that are more dangerous to children than lead paint in Mattel toys". I find it a bit fanatical on some fronts, but I fully admit that could be my own dulled senses and consumer stupidity. I do find a few of these to be terrifying.

I hope this will help you feel more informed, more in control and provide a place to find some information.

If you have any links you think should be added please leave them for me in the comments!

Mattel / Fisher Price Recall Geo Trax Engine, Barbie Furniture & It's A Big World Bongo Set Plus one Mom Says "Enough!"

For the 3rd time in five weeks, Mattel Toys is recalling 848,000 toys, due to lead paint hazard. Click the picture for Information regarding this products recall:




Mattel has posted a video and the following pledge to thier consumers:

We take our promises seriously

As promised, in recent weeks, we have been busy testing and retesting toys before they leave factories. Our recent voluntary recalls are part of our ongoing promise to ensure the safety of your children. We have strengthened our testing worldwide with a mandatory 3-stage safety check of paint used on our toys.

1. 1. All paint must be tested before it is used on our toys. No exceptions.
2. 2. We have significantly increased testing and unannounced inspections at every stage of production.
3. 3. We are testing every production run of finished toys to ensure compliance before they reach you.

We encourage you to keep coming back to our website where you can learn about additional affected toys, what we are doing, and to find answers to your questions.At Mattel, the safety of your children is our utmost priority. That is our promise.

I personally would like to point out to Mattel if that if they truley take the safety of our children seriously, then it's time to truley step up thier game and bring thier production back to the United States.

***************************************

One Mom had enough after last weeks toy recall and the strain of trying to figure out which of her childrens toys were affected. Dana Laine Parker packed up her children and thier toys and headed to the CA. Mattel headquarters where she demanded that someone from Mattel inspect her childrens toys. Read more of this story:

After watching Mattel Chief Executive Officer Bob Eckert discuss the recall on a morning news program last week, Parker packed up her car with as many bags of her children's toys as she could fit in and headed to Mattel headquarters in El Segundo.

With her kids, mother and the toys in tow, she marched into the lobby and told the security guard she wanted someone to inspect her kids' toys.

Are my toys safe?

Refusing to take the guard's advice that she check the toys against product numbers on the Web site, Parker demanded to see Mattel staffers. Eventually, she was directed to a conference room where two Mattel employees examined the toys, none of which was subject to the company's recalls.

"My children's lives were worth too much to me to trust the Web site," Parker said, adding that sorting the toys is time-consuming and confusing.

"Who knows the names of each and every `Little People' toy? And the model numbers on the back couldn't be harder to read."

Now it's your turn to Sound Off:

1. What can be done (or what would you like to have done)to prevent this continuous issue?
2. Is Mattel doing enough to keep our children safe?

Mattel Toy RecallBarbie, Polly Pockets, "Cars"characters, Batman and more..

Today Mattel is recalling more than 9 million toy sets

(yes, made in China. Shocker, huh?).

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mattel Inc. Tuesday recalled more than 9 million toys made in China, including "Polly Pocket" and "Batman" dolls and other popular figures, because of loose magnets and lead paint - its second major recall in less than a month.

Main recall site for Mattel

Sarge character recall

Barbie and Tanner Recall

Polly Pocket™, Batman™ Magna, Doggie Daycare™ and Shonen Jump's One Piece™ playsets

Question:
As this is the 2nd recall in a month from Mattel, I am curious to know if you would still purchase toys from them?

I want you to Sound Off:
What will it take for companies and the government to start protecting our children from this type of threat?