Way to go, China! You’ve turned our “Chinese Poison Train” into something literal. Good job!

1.5 million Thomas & Friends wooden train sets have been recalled due to toxic levels of lead. The toys were sold in toy stores and at various retailers nationwide from January 2005 through June 2007 for between $10 and $70.

If your kid has any of the above-pictured toys, you should take the toy away immediately and contact the manufacturer for a replacement at: recalls.rc2.com.

According to ABC News, “the CPSC has stepped up scrutiny of products made in China following a rise in dangerous imports from the country.” Constant readers of the blog can attest to the overwhelming tidal wave of choking and lead poisoning recalls that this site is forced to report on. Making editorial decisions about which hazard to report on is hard. Pants that could choke you? Lead toys? Deadly ATVs for 1st graders? There’s so much to choose from. We wonder why…From ABC News:

China by far leads the list of countries making products that are recalled in the United States, accounting for 65 percent of all the recalled products in this country this year, according to CPSC. In 2006, China accounted for 233 product recalls — nearly double the rate from the previous year, with lead a recurring cause among the recalls.

So that’s why we’re forced to do round ups just to keep up. —MEGHANN MARCO

Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys Recalled [ABC News]
RC2 Corp. Recalls Various Thomas & Friends

Wooden Railway Toys Due to Lead Poisoning Hazard [CPSC]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.