Today Mattel expanded their lead paint recall to include 253,000 die cast "Cars" toys. In addition, Mattel expended a 2006 magnetic toy recall to include about 7 million other toys.

Poorly constructed magnet toys have been the cause of several injuries and at least one fatality. When the toys break and magnets fall out, they can be eaten or inhaled by small children—causing punctures in the intestines and lungs and requiring emergency surgery. Lead paint is toxic to children can cause adverse health effects.

Here is a list of the newly recalled toys:

Cars "Sarge" 21/2" Die-Cast Toy
Barbie and Tanner play sets — model numbers J9472 and J9560.
Doggie Day Care Magnetic Toys (All)
A Very Long List of Various Polly Pocket dolls and accessories with magnets
Batman and One Piece Magnetic Action Figure Sets

Mattel originally recalled the Polly Pocket magnet toys in November of 2006, after three children required emergency surgery to repair intestinal perforations caused by the magnets. Since then they have received 400 additional reports of magnets falling out of various Polly Pocket toys, prompting an expansion of the recall. And, of course, Mattel's Fisher-Price division recently recalled almost a million toys due to lead paint.

Before this latest recall was announced, Mattel took out full page ads in the New York Times, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal that featured a letter from Mattel's CEO, Robert A. Eckert. The New York Times reports:

"Nothing is more important than the safety of our children," the letter begins.

"Our long record of safety at Mattel is why we're one of the most trusted names with parents," it says. "And I am confident that the actions we are taking now will maintain that trust."

The toymaker said the latest defective Chinese toys were produced by Early Light Industrial Company, which it said subcontracted the painting to another Chinese vendor, Hong Li Da (HLD). "While the painting subcontractor, HLD, was required to utilize paint supplied directly from Early Light, it instead violated Mattel's standards and utilized paint from a nonauthorized third-party supplier," Mattel said.

Mattel said Lee Der Industrial, a contract manufacturer based in southern China, was responsible for producing the toys that contained excessive levels of lead paint in the initial recall.

If you have any of these toys in your home, please take them away from your children immediately. Contact Mattel at (800) 916-4997 anytime or visit the firm's Web site at www.service.mattel.com. You'll need to return the toy in order to get a replacement, but at this point do you really want one?

Mattel Issues New Recall of Toys Produced in China [New York Times]
(Photo:Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

PREVIOUSLY: Toxic Lead Paint Prompts Recall of 967,000 Fisher-Price Toys
Fisher-Price Being Investigated By CPSC Due To Shoddy Track Record Reporting Defects
Fisher-Price Fined $975,000 for Failing to Report a Serious Choking Hazard With A Popular Toy
Chinese Lead Toy Maker Commits Suicide In Mattel Recall Aftermath
China: It's Mattel's Fault That Chinese Companies Manufactured Toys Covered With Lead. What?
Serious Injuries Prompt Recall of Polly Pocket Toys