Consumerist: Lead

Mattel's Toy Blood Pressure Cuff's Paint Was About 5% Lead

Ben Popken — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 21:18:36 EDT

Just how much lead was in that toy blood pressure cuff Mattel were so reluctant to recall back in February? The one they said "me federal regulations and international consumer product safety standards?" Well, a reader's scientist friend working in lab tested it on the equipment there. According to his results, the amount of lead in the paint was 4-5% lead by weight. "For reference," he writes, "U.S. EPA HUD guidelines set the action limit for paint at 0.5% lead by weight. Any level over 0.5% is considered to be contaminated...Lead paint used on houses 50 years ago had lead content of 2-15%."

House, Senate Pass Bill That Increases CPSC Budget, Bans Lead In Toys

Meg Marco — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:45:43 EDT

New legislation banning lead and (pending further study) six types of phthalates (chemicals suspected of causing heath problems) from children's products has passed the Senate and now moves on to President Bush. In addition to banning lead and other chemicals, the bill will require independent testing of children's products before they can enter the marketplace — a practice many consumers assumed was standard until they found out that Thomas the Tank Engine was covered in lead.

If the bill is signed, some voluntary safety standards will become mandatory, and companies who fail to report hazards or violate the new laws will face steep penalties of up to $15 million.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, currently toothless and underfunded, will see its budget double and its authority increase.

We're happy to report that the bill enjoyed bipartisan support and passed overwhelmingly in both the House (424-1) and the Senate (89 to 3.)

Senate Sends Sweeping Product-Safety Bill On to Bush [Washington Post]
(Photo: Lee Jordan )

Do Warning Labels On Flashlights Really Mean Anything?

Jay Slatkin — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:20:02 EDT

Reader Bill wrote to us wondering about some cheap flashlights he bought from Amazon. Their warning label says to "Always wear ANSI approved safety goggles when using this product...Normal everyday use of this product is likely to expose the user to dust and microscopic particles containing lead and other chemicals known in the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects and other reproductive harm." Should Bill be worried about the cancer risk and reproductive harm of his flashlights?

In its current state, Proposition 65 is a catch-all for huge list of substances which if used on any product in California, must comply with the required warning labels like the kind we see below on Bill's flashlight. Because of the way that Proposition 65 is written, the warning label must be used, even if only a minute amount of lead is present.

According to Dr. Subhuti Dharmananda,

The warning labels required by Proposition 65 do not present information about the safety or the risk of the products; the warning about lead does not specify the actual amount of lead that is present or whether any particular amount is harmful. The requirement for a warning label is triggered when the amount of a regulated substance in a product exceeds a certain regulatory level, which is very low in the case of lead. According to the way Proposition 65 is worded and with the limited data about effects of exposure to lead, the labeling must be done if the total daily lead intake exceeds just 0.5 micrograms (µg).

In fact, many contend that Proposition 65 is really just a nuisance which does little more than provide ammunition for private citizens to collect damages from companies that they don't like. Wikipedia says,

Labeling requirements conceded the reality that listing and classifying substances did not help the consumer if the contents of a purchase were unknown. At the same time, there were no other labeling requirements to support the proposition. Industry critics and corporate defense lawyers charge that Proposition 65 is "a clever and irritating mechanism used by litigious NGOs and others to publicly spank politically incorrect opponents ranging from the American gun industry to seafood retailers, etc." [4]

In addition, because the law allows private citizens to sue and collect damages from any business violating the law, there have been cases of lawyers and law firms using Proposition 65 to force monetary settlements out of California businesses.[5] The Attorney General's office has cited several instances of settlements where plaintiff attorneys received significant awards without providing for environmental benefit to the people of California, resulting in the requirement of the Attorney General's approval of pre-trial Proposition 65 settlements.[6]

Given the proposition's overly broad scope, even companies who aren't using hazardous materials, simply go ahead and post the warnings, perhaps, if only to say "don't sue us!" Wikipedia says,

Nearly all businesses in the state post similar notices on their premises, even when they are unaware of any listed chemicals being present. Warning signs are always posted at gas stations, hardware suppliers,[2] grocery stores, drug stores, and medical facilities.[3] Most government agencies,[4] parking garages, apartment complexes,[5] retail stores,[6] banks, and restaurants[7] also post warning signs because of the possibility of hazardous chemicals being present in everyday items, such as a car or a computer, or because tobacco smoke from a passerby might drift in through an open window. Some large businesses, such as utility companies, mail a Prop 65 notice to all customers each year to warn them of dangerous substances like natural gas[8] or the sand used in sandblasting.[9]

Warning labels that warn against any infinitesimal risk are essentially useless. The outbreak of warning labels spawned by Proposition 65 is so widespread that consumers are being conditioned to ignore them. Even if some of these labels are trying to warn us against a legitimate risk, we are likely to ignore them since these labels "cry wolf" more often than they protect us.

California Proposition 65 (1986) [Wiki]
Proposition 65 [OEHHA]
Frequently Asked Questions About Proposition 65 Lead Warning Labels [ITMOnline]

Mattel Losing Money As Manufacturing Costs Rise

Meg Marco — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:46:43 EDT

Mattel is losing money as manufacturing costs in China rise, according to Bloomberg:

Sales of Barbie fell 12 percent in the U.S. as the 49-year- old doll faced competition from Hannah Montana and Ganz's Webkinz. Mattel, which recalled more than 21 million Chinese-made products in 2007, expects Chinese manufacturing costs to rise further. The yuan has climbed 10 percent against the dollar over the past 12 months, and inflation in China is near an 11-year high.

Also mentioned were the costs that Mattel incurred due to their lead and magnet recalls:

The recalls of Sesame Street vehicles with paint containing excessive amounts of lead and Polly Pocket dolls with magnets that may detach and get swallowed by children cost Mattel $110 million in 2007 for toy returns and legal, advertising and testing expenses.

Ouch.

Mattel Posts Loss as Chinese Production Costs Rise (Update4) [Bloomberg]
(Photo:Dust Storm)

Let's Celebrate Easter With A Lead Contamination Recall!

Meg Marco — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:59:32 EDT

The CPSC would like you to know that the Hobby Lobby has a couple easter-themed recalls.

13,000 easter egg tops and camoflage easter eggs are contaminated with lead paint and pose a poisoning hazard to children who handle them.

Consumers should immediately take the recalled Camouflage Eggs and the Spinning Egg Tops away from children and contact Hobby Lobby to receive a $3 exchange card that can be used toward the purchase of any other products sold at Hobby Lobby stores.

Happy Easter!

Hobby Lobby Stores Recalls Easter Egg Containers and Spinning Egg Tops Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard [CPSC]

Reebok To Pay $1 Million Fine After Lead Poisoning Death

Meg Marco — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:48:39 EDT

Two years ago athletic shoe giant Reebok announced a recall of 300,000 lead tainted charm bracelets that were given away as free gifts with the purchase of children's footwear.

In March 2006, a 4-year-old boy from Minneapolis who swallowed the bracelet's heart-shaped pendant died from lead poisoning. Now Reebok has agreed to pay a $1 million penalty, the largest ever for a Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) violation. Reebok denies wrongdoing.

Lead-tainted jewelry such as this charm bracelet is not uncommon these days. There were over 17 million items recalled for lead contamination in 2007 alone.

Reebok to Pay Record $1,000,000 Civil Penalty for Violation of Federal Hazardous Substances Act [CPSC]

Senate Votes For Safer Products, Approves Consumer Product Safety Commission Overhaul

Carey — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:34:44 EST

The Senate finally voted last week to send the ailing Consumer Product Safety Commission desperately needed funds, staff, and powers. The overdue reform bill passed with bipartisan support on a 79-13 vote.

Significant differences remain between the Senate and House legislation, but compromise seems assured on several key points:

Funding for the Commission would rise from $63 million to over $100 million.
The CPSC would be allowed to work without a quorum, but funding would be available for a full slate of 5 Commissioners.
Lead would effectively be banned from all children's products, not just toys.
Toy makers would be required to use independent labs to test their products for lead.
Maximum fines would rise from $1.8 million to at least $10 million.

The Senate bill goes farther than companion legislation passed by the House in December. Under the Senate version, state Attorney Generals would be allowed seek injunctions for violations of federal law; whistleblower protection would be extended to private-sector employees; and, the CPSC would create a consumer database that lists death, injury and illness reports.

Thirteen Senators think the bills goes too far and that their families are plenty safe without an expanded CPSC, thank you:

Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Vitter (R-LA)
Wicker (R-MS)

Senators McCain, Clinton, and Obama were busy campaigning and did not vote on the measure.

The White House has yet to threaten a veto. Stay tuned for updates as the bill heads to conference.

Senate Votes For Safer Products [Washington Post]
Vote Summary [United States Senate]
S. 2663 - A bill to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission to provide greater protection for children's products, to improve the screening of noncompliant consumer products, to improve the effectiveness of consumer product recall programs, and for other purposes. [THOMAS]
Write Your Representative
PREVIOUSLY: How To Write To Congress

Lead Found In Dental Appliance

Chris Walters — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:27:37 EST

Finally! It's been so long since we've posted about anything tainted with lead that we were starting to wonder if all the world's trade problems had been resolved—but now comes a new study that found 210 parts per million (ppm) of lead in the porcelain veneer of a dental crown ordered from China. That's a lot less than the CPSC's current 600 ppm threshold, but a lot more than the international standard of only 90 ppm. The good news is it's highly unlikely developing children will need a mouth full of crowns and bridges. The bad news is it's yet another example of how hazardous material can slip undiscovered into the marketplace—and your mouth.

The Columbus Dispatch says that an estimated 7 million dental appliances in the U.S. come from foreign labs, and make up about one-fifth of the market. A Columbus television news station decided to test a few:

Working with a Columbus dentist, WBNS ordered eight supposedly identical dental crowns from four labs in China, the source of a growing number of dental implants used by U.S. dentists. The labs are regular advertisers in industry publications distributed in the United States.

A certified testing facility in Cleveland found that the porcelain veneer of one of the crowns contained lead — 210 parts per million.

In response, the ADA announced that it's alerted the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that "it has begun its own 'larger-scale investigation into the safety of both foreign and domestically produced dental crowns and other dental prostheses.'"

Until the results are available, the ADA says patients with concerns might want to ask their dentists these questions:

Do you make your own crowns, bridges, etc., or buy them from a dental laboratory?
Where is the lab located?
Does the lab outsource crowns or bridges to a foreign country?
If the lab is in a foreign country, does it provide written documentation that it is registered with the FDA?
Does the lab provide written documentation that it uses FDA-approved materials?
Have you noticed any problems with the crowns, bridges or other items produced by this lab?

We think the first three questions are good, and the last three questions are busywork from the ADA to make you feel like you're doing something to protect yourself. If you're really concerned about lead in foreign-made dental crowns, look for domestic or local labs.

Any dentists or dental lab techs lurking? Have you heard anything about this topic?

(Thanks to Cassandra!)

"Lead might be lurking in dental work" [Columbus Dispatch]
(Photo: greefus groinks)

Toys "R" Us Announces New Safety Guidelines

Meg Marco — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:30:33 EST

Reader and commenter jurijuri says:

Just got this email from Toys 'R' Us in my inbox and thought you'd be interested. I'm normally pretty skeptical about corporate promises like this, but if they implement these changes I'm going to be pretty impressed.
Keep up the good work!

Here's what Toys "R" Us has to say:

February 15, 2008
A Message From Gerald L. Storch,
Chairman and CEO, Toys"R"Us, Inc.

Dear Valued Guest,

At Toys"R"Us, Inc., kids are central to who we are and to what we do. Our commitment to their safety is non-negotiable. I wanted to share with you today some of the decisive and proactive changes we have made recently to our already rigorous quality assurance standards:

NOTIFICATION TO MANUFACTURERS OF INCREASED QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS AND OVERSIGHT:

We have instructed all manufacturers who produce items for Toys"R"Us, Inc. that products shipped to the company on or after March 1, 2008 must comply with strict new standards, which include:

Significantly increasing the frequency of third-party testing, including each batch of product imported to the United States by Toys"R"Us, Inc.;

Ensuring all product samples submitted for testing are selected by the company's third-party, certified laboratory;
Date-coding all products;

Applying a more stringent standard of 90 ppm for lead in surface coatings versus the current federal standard of 600 ppm for all products manufactured exclusively for Toys"R"Us, Inc.;

Requiring substrate materials to meet a standard of 250 ppm for lead versus the company's current standard of 600 ppm for all products manufactured exclusively for Toys"R"Us, Inc.; and

Using lead-screening equipment to conduct company auditing of all products at their point of origin and at various points in the supply chain.

REDUCTION OF PHTHALATES AND POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) USE:
All manufacturers have been notified that by the end of 2008 juvenile products sold in any Toys"R"Us or Babies"R"Us store in the United States must be produced without the addition of phthalates that have raised concerns about infant safety.

Additionally, as we move closer to our goal of offering PVC-free products, we have already begun replacing PVC and phthalates in juvenile products manufactured exclusively for Toys"R"Us, Inc.

ELIMINATION OF NICKEL-CADMIUM BATTERIES FROM ALL PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED EXCLUSIVELY FOR TOYS"R"US, INC.
We have instructed manufacturers to immediately take steps to eliminate the use of nickel-cadmium batteries from all items manufactured exclusively for Toys"R"Us, Inc. This process is expected to be complete by the end of 2008.

We know that you trust and expect that we will always do the right thing when it comes to the safety of children, and we take that responsibility very seriously. At every turn, we will continue to look for ways to provide the safest shopping environment for the children and families we serve. We love kids and babies - and safety in all we do for them, and for you, is an imperative.

Sincerely,

Gerald L. Storch
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Toys"R"Us, Inc.

What do you think?

(Photo:TheBeeGirl)

Recalls

Ben Popken — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:27:31 EST

A Life of Faith Charm Bracelet Sets (lead), Polaris All-Terrain Vehicles (fire), Soft Air USA Remote-Controlled Helicopter Toys (Fire and Burn), GE Gas Clothes Dryers (shock), Trek MT220 Girls Bicycles (frame failures), eeBoo Corp Sketchbooks with Colored Spirals (lead).

The EPA says hot tap water can contain as ...

Chris Walters — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:06:53 EST

The EPA says hot tap water can contain as much lead as a cheap toy from China—"We call it dollar-store tea," says an EPA spokesman. Okay, seriously, the EPA said none of that but they do warn you to not drink hot tap water. Heated water can leach out contaminants in old pipes, and boiling it doesn't remove the lead—so only use cold tap water for drinking, cooking, and preparing baby formula. [New York Times]

Members Of Congress Implore Mattel To "Do The Right Thing," Recall Lead-Tainted Toy Blood-Pressure Cuff

Carey — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 10:12:57 EST

56 Members of Congress want to know why Mattel CEO Robert Eckert refuses to issue a nationwide recall for a toy blood-pressure cuff that is contaminated with lead. The affected blood-pressure cuff, sold as part of the Fisher-Price Medical Kit, was recalled exclusively in Illinois after Mattel received a complaint from State Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Legislators want Eckert to stand by a pledge made to reassure a jittery public before the holiday buying season that Mattel would 'earn back our trust with deeds, not just with words.'

We encourage you to review your pledge and act accordingly by recalling the red blood pressure cuff. Furthermore, we challenge you to live up to your words and set a standard for the entire industry by completely eliminating the use of lead in all of the children's products manufactured by Mattel. When parents purchase a product from your company, they are not just purchasing a toy—they are putting their trust in an established brand that has historically been believed to provide merchandise that is safe for their children. We urge you to live up to this reputation.

The CPSC is "investigating the product," but has yet to issue a nationwide recall.

Representative Elijah E. Cummings, Democrat of Maryland, wrote Mr. Eckert in December asking it to stop using lead in its products. He said that Mattel's reply, which arrived last week, and its action on the toy were inadequate and that the company should issue a nationwide recall.
Mr. Cummings said in an interview that if Mr. Eckert "knew his child had one of these toys with this kind of lead in it, I know he would not allow his child to be having such a toy."

We're with Eckert. Let's move past trite words and focus on actions. Mattel could rustle up some needed sympathy with a new toy: My 'Lil CEO. He could wear a power suit and come with an accessory set: an executive desk on which to churn out meaningless promises, a companion PR professional to help think up slick-sounding lies that deceive Congress and parents, and maybe a token sick child (complete with hospital gown!) to cry over. The whole set could be made in China and would come covered with tasty small magnets. Ages 5 and under!

Lawmakers Say Mattel Broke Word on Lead [NYT]
Cummings, DeLauro to Mattel: 'Stop Selling Toxic Toys' [Congressman Elijah Cummings]
PREVIOUSLY: Consumer Reports Finds "Troubling" Levels Of Lead In Unrecalled Fisher-Price Toy
Fisher-Price Pulls Lead Tainted Toy In Illinois Only
Fisher-Price Pulls Another Lead-Tainted Product In Illinois Only
(Photo: Getty Images)

Toy Maker Reluctantly Agrees To Recall Leadly "Jammin Jenna" Dolls

Ben Popken — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:13:32 EST

A toy-maker who refused to issue a recall for its lead-tainted toys has reversed its position. TY made some "Jammin Jenna" dolls with that were found to have more lead than 600 parts per million Illinois state limit. In response to recall requests, TY said it didn't have to because they said federal law supersedes state law. However, the state AG and federal CPSC responded that states are allowed to adopt more restrictive laws in the absence of federal regulation. TY will pull the Jammin Jena dolls and replace their leadly shiny red vinyl shoes with cloth ones.

Ty takes high-lead doll out of stores [Chicago Tribune]
PREVIOUSLY: Toy Makers Refuse To Recall Leaded Toys

Thomas The Tank Engine Makers Settle Class Action With Free Toys

Ben Popken — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:00:32 EST

Thomas the Tank Engine makers have settled a class-action-lawsuit against for $30 million, stemming from their production of anthropomorphic toy trains brought to life with lead-tainted paint. Under the terms, RC2 will give cash refunds or replacement toys, plus a "bonus" toy. Hopefully this time RC2 will check to make sure the apology choo-choos aren't lead-tainted as well.

Maker of Thomas toys settles suit on lead paint [Chicago Tribune]

Toy Makers Refuse To Recall Leaded Toys

Ben Popken — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 11:20:12 EST

Several toy makers are refusing to issue recalls for their toys, even though tests have proved they contain over 500 times the legal limit for lead. One says that it's leadly charm bracelets are not toys and therefore not subject to toy rules. Ty, which famously makes Beanie Babies, is refusing to pull "Jammin' Jenna," because while state law bans vinyl toys with more lead than 600 parts per million limit, the federal law doesn't - an argument that won't go over well with the attorney general's office, or parents.

Toymaker fights state recall [Chicago Tribune]

Martha Stewart Takes Lead Poisoning Seriously

Meg Marco — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:53:08 EST

WHO: Martha Stewart Omnimedia
WHAT: A family has filed a federal lawsuit against Martha Stewart's company and Sears Holdings after they say their children suffered mental impairment and other side effects from lead poisoning after using Martha Stewart dinnerware.
WHERE: Lower Burrell Couple Sues Martha Stewart's Company [KDKA](Thanks, Martin!)
THE QUOTE:"We take consumer product safety very seriously. We do not comment on pending litigation."

CPSC Boss: Toys "Are Safer Than They Have Ever Been"

Meg Marco — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:56:20 EST

Consumer Reports takes issue with some of the statements CPSC chairperson Nancy Nord said in a recent speech:

...much of Nord's speech before the National Press Club in Washington was spent discussing 2007, often dubbed "the year of the recall." Nord faulted the press for its "near-hysteria levels" of coverage. And politicians—who have been working on legislation to give the agency more funds and powers—did not escape her criticism either.
We don't agree with that characterization of hysteria or several other of Nord's statements. Here are a few of the key points she made in her speech and in the question and answer period that followed—and our concerns about them:

"The fact is, consumer products are safer today than they have ever been," Nord said in her prepared remarks. And toys, she later added "are safer than they have ever been."

More than 25 million toys were recalled in 2007 because of safety problems. Need we say more? That large number of recalls in a single year certainly suggests there are a lot of unsafe toys on the market and in our homes.

Everything the mainstream media covers they cover the same way—with hysteria. Last we checked, however, our tally of lead recalls for 2007 had reached 17,181,210. All things considered, we'd rather the media pay attention to poisonous toys than than the custody battles of pop stars—a topic that they are infinitely more hysterical about.

Nancy Nord, the CPSC's acting chairman, looks forward—and back [Consumer Reports]
(Photo:)

Walmart Is Still Selling Recalled Lead-Tainted Bibs

Carey — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 19:00:18 EST

Walmart is still selling lead-tainted Baby Connection bibs that were recalled last May. Reader Jeff made the discovery after his wife accidentally purchased two packs of recalled bibs for their 4-month-old daughter while vacationing in the Poconos.

He writes:

so my wife and i and our 4 month old baby girl took a trip to the Poconos for a vacation back in December. we stopped at the Super Wal-Mart there (East Stroudsburg, PA) to get some supplies. my wife wanted to get some bibs for our baby.
she bought 2 packs of bibs with a vinyl backing so they wouldn't soak through onto her clothes because she always has her bib in her mouth... as it turns out these bibs have already been recalled in Illinois back in May of last year and later supposedly expanded nationwide for having high levels of lead. there were lots of news reports about this from back in May. after further research we found out the UPC numbers of the bibs and sure enough we had them. they were: Baby Connection 7-Pack Feeder Bibs UPC No. 01468151077. other upc numbers are: 01468152705 and 01468102732

so basically, it just makes us sick to our stomach that these companies will sell products to consumers that they know have high amounts of lead in them. why were'nt these bibs taken off the shelves in ALL of their stores. why does a child in Illinois have better protection than my child in New Jersey (although we bought the bibs in Pennsylvania)?

thanks guys, keep up the good work,

jeff

Children in Illinois are safer because the state bans the sale of products containing more than 600 ppm of lead. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has warned all parents that vinyl bibs may be tainted with lead, but refuses to issue a nationwide recall.

Walmart voluntarily agreed to pull the lead-ridden bibs back in May to avoid the fine-wielding ire of Illinois' Attorney General.

Mia Masten, a Chicago-based spokeswoman for Wal-Mart, said the vinyl portion of the bibs exceeded the lead levels set by Illinois for children's products. She said the company had worked with the Illinois attorney general's office to pull the items and later decided to expand the recall nationwide.
"We at Wal-Mart are committed to working ... to develop industry standards for the elimination of vinyl in children's products," Masten said.

Maybe those industry standards should have include a directive to pull recalled products from the shelf? Just a suggestion.

Over 17 Million Items Recalled For Lead Contamination In 2007

Meg Marco — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 13:59:45 EST

Ladies and Gentlemen... Boys and Girls... The final tally for lead recalls is in.

In 2007, 17,181,210 items were recalled for lead contamination alone.

Here's a full list of all the lead related recalls for 2007. Be sure none of this junk is in your home. You have a few spare hours to go through all of this, right?

Enjoy.

AAFES Recalls "Soldier Bear" Toys (December 19, 2007)

Discount School Supply Measuring Chart (December 19, 2007)

Children's Toys Recalled by Dollar Tree Stores (December 13, 2007)

Codee International Corp. Children's Jewelry (December 13, 2007)

Fishing Games Sold at Grocery Stores (December 12, 2007)

United Scientific Horseshoe Magnets (December 12, 2007)

Children's Sunglasses by FGX International (December 7, 2007)

The Home Depot Holiday Figurines (December 6, 2007)

RC2 Potty Training Seats (December 6, 2007)

Bell Racing Collectible Mini Racing Helmets (December 5, 2007)

American Greetings Corp.Confetti Bursts (November 29, 2007)

Reeves International Inc. Holiday Ornaments (November 28, 2007)

Slipcovers Used With Boppy Pillows (November 21, 2007)

Children's Pencil Pouches by Raymond Geddes & Co.(November 21, 2007)

Children's Metal Jewelry by Buy-Rite (November 21, 2007)

Cherrydale Fundraising Bracelets (November 21, 2007)

Children's Metal Jewelry by Colossal Jewelry & Accessories (November 21, 2007)

La Femme NY Inc. Children's Necklace and Earring Sets (November 21, 2007)

Pure Allure Metal Jewelry Sold at Michaels Stores to Children (November 21, 2007)

Discount School Supply Paint Brushes (November 21, 2007)

Metal Jewelry Sold by Family Dollar Stores (November 21, 2007)

Hobby Lobby Stores Halloween-Themed Baskets (November 16, 2007)

Children's Sunglasses by Dollar General (November 8, 2007)

Curious George Plush Dolls By Marvel Toys (November 8, 2007)

Schylling Associates Collectable Toy Robot (November 7, 2007)

Schylling Associates Dizzy Ducks Music Box (November 7, 2007)

Spinning Top by Schylling Associates (November 7, 2007)

Schylling Associates Duck Family Collectable Toy (November 7, 2007)

Toy Cars by Dollar General (November 7, 2007)

International Sourcing Ltd. Toy Dragster and Funny Car (November 7, 2007)

Northern Tool & Equipment "Big Red" Wagons (November 7, 2007)

Toy Figures by Henry Gordy International (October 31, 2007)

Halloween "Ugly Teeth" By Amscan Inc. (October 31, 2007)

Pearl-like Bead Attachment Sold with Girl's Gift Sets; Sold exclusively at Limited Too Stores (November 1, 2007)

Toys "R" Us Elite Operations Toys (October 31, 2007)

SimplyFun Ribbit Board Games (October 31, 2007)

Family Dollar Stores Halloween Pails (October 25, 2007)

DecoPac Inc. Football Bobble Head Cake Decorations (October 25, 2007)

Jo-Ann Stores Children's Toy Garden Tools (October 25, 2007)

Fisher Price Go Diego Go Boat Toys (October 25, 2007)

Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Children's Jewelry (October 25, 2007)

Children's Metal Jewelry By WeGlow International (October 25, 2007)

Albert's Halloween Skull Pails (October 17, 2007)

Antioch Publishing Bookmarks (October 17, 2007)

Guidecraft Inc. Children's Puppet Theaters (October 17, 2007)

J.C. Penney Breyer Stirrup Ornaments (October 11, 2007)

Flaghouse Inc. Kidnastics Balance Beams (October 11, 2007)

J.C. Penney Deluxe Art Sets (October 11, 2007)

J.C. Penney Disney™ Winnie-the-Pooh Play Sets (October 11, 2007)

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® Travel Art Sets (October 11, 2007)

Bendable Dinosaur Toys by Kipp Brothers (October 11, 2007)

Riddell Collectible Mini Racing Helmets (October 11, 2007)

Kahoot Products Inc. Cub Scouts Totem Badges (October 9, 2007)

Sports Authority Aluminum Water Bottles (October 4, 2007)

Antioch Publishing Bookmarks and Journals (October 4, 2007)

Key Chains by Dollar General (October 4, 2007)

CKI Children's Decorating Sets; Sold Exclusively at Toys "R" Us (October 4, 2007)

Dollar General Tumblers (October 4, 2007)

Eveready Battery Co. Toy Flashlights (October 4, 2007)

Baby Einstein Color Blocks (October 4, 2007)

KB Toys Wooden Toys (October 4, 2007)

TOBY N.Y.C. Children's Metal Jewelry (September 26, 2007)

Children's Spinning Wheel-Metal Necklaces By Rhode Island Novelty (September 26, 2007)

Guidecraft Inc. Children�s Puppet Theaters (September 26, 2007)

Children's Toy Rakes Sold Exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores (September 26, 2007)

RC2 Knights of the Sword Toys (September 26, 2007)

Target Children's Toy Gardening Tools and Chairs (September 26, 2007)

RC2 Corp. Thomas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys (September 26, 2007)

Fisher-Price Bongo Band Toys (September 4, 2007)

Fisher-Price Geo Trax Locomotive Toys (September 4, 2007)

Mattel Various Barbie® Accessory Toys (September 4, 2007)

Toys "R" Us Wooden Coloring Cases (August 30, 2007)

Children's Watering Cans Sold Exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores (August 28, 2007)

Martin Designs Inc. SpongeBob SquarePants™ Character Address Books and Journals (August 22, 2007)

Thomas and Friends, Curious George and Other Spinning Tops and Tin Pails By Schylling Associates (August 22, 2007)

Children's Charm Bracelets Sold by Buy-Rite (August 22, 2007)

Children's Metal Jewelry by TOBY N.Y.C. (August 22, 2007)

Hampton Direct Magnetic Toy Train Sets (August 21, 2007)

Mattel "Sarge" Die Cast Toy Cars (August 14, 2007)

Fisher-Price Licensed Character Toys (August 2, 2007)

Children's Earrings Sold at Wal-Mart Stores in Florida (July 17, 2007)

AAFES "Soldier Bear" Toy Sets (July 18, 2007)

Children's Metal Jewelry by Future Industries (July 5, 2007)

Children's Necklaces by GeoCentral (June 19, 2007)

RC2 Corp. homas & Friends™ Wooden Railway Toys (June 13, 2007)

Silver Stud Earrings Sold Exclusively at Kmart by Crimzon Rose Accessories (June 12, 2007)

Children's Metal Jewelry Sold at Limited Too and Justice Stores by Tween Brands (May 31, 2007)

Toy Drums by The Boyds Collection Ltd. (May 30, 2007)

AAFES "Soldier Bear" Toy Sets (May 23, 2007)

Troy-Bilt Children's Gardening Gloves (May 16, 2007)

Children's Rings By Cardinal Distributing (May 15, 2007)

Children's Metal Jewelry By Spandrel Sales and Marketing (May 15, 2007)

Cardinal Distributing Children's Rings (May 2, 2007)

Target Anima Bamboo Collection Games (May 2, 2007)

Oriental Trading Company Inc.Children's Necklaces (May 2, 2007)

900,000 Children's Necklaces and Charm Bracelets by Cardinal Distributing Co.(April 17, 2007)

Various Metal Key Chains by Dollar General (April 3, 2007)

A&A Global Industries Children's Bracelets (April 3, 2007)

Regent Products Corp.Stuffed Ball Toys (March 28, 2007)

Children's Mood Necklaces by Rhode Island Novelty (March 15, 2007)

Children's Necklaces Sold Exclusively at Claire's Stores (March 15, 2007)

Toys "R" Us "Elite Operations" Toy Sets (March 13, 2007)

Children's Necklaces Sold Exclusively at Accessories Palace (March 13, 2007)

Discount School Supply Children's Two-Sided Easels (March 7, 2007)

Children's Rings Sold at Big Lots! Stores (February 23, 2007)

Children's Jewelry Sold Exclusively at Kmart (February 23, 2007)

Samara Brothers Boys' Jackets (February 13, 2007)

Children's Bracelets by DM Merchandising (February 7, 2007)

Children's Rings by Shalom International (February 7, 2007)

U.S. Toy Co.Children's Butterfly Necklaces (January 18, 2007)

Samara Brothers Children's Two-Piece Overall Sets (January 5, 2007)

Consumer Product Safety Commission

NJ Toy Inspectors Performing Spot-Checks At Retail Level

Chris Walters — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 17:36:13 EST

To pick up slack from the undersized/overwhelmed CPSC, states are stepping up to help increase toy safety locally. New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, Illinois and California have been taking "aggressive measures," from suing manufacturers to escalating state recalls to the federal level. Newsday describes how New Jersey worked with charities and educators during toy drives to make them aware of recalled toys. The state also assigned 15 state inspectors to a toy safety task force, and over the past month, the inspectors "fanned out across the state with assistance from county health department workers to test products and check for recalled toys.

The inspections point out one real problem retailers face in isolating and removing recalled products from their inventory—the manufacturers don't always make it easy:

Even after spotting the toy boat and suspecting it matched the one on the recall list, veteran state investigator Frank Carmody had to remove the product from its packaging and search the toy for several minutes before finding the model number on the boat's underside, printed in the same bright orange as the boat and nearly impossible to read. He then had to call the CPSC to verify that the toy he was holding and the one in his binder were the same.

To test for high lead levels, inspectors in New Jersey use a handheld reader to identify items to send to their labs for further testing:

Working with the state, the Monmouth County inspectors field-tested 75 children's items including a butterfly keychain, a backpack and a toddler's touch toy. They sent 16 of the 75 on to an independent lab for further testing; all 16 passed the more extensive test.

Merry Christmas to state inspectors!

"Toy safety tops on NJ inspectors' holiday lists" [Newsday]
(Photo: What Rhymes With Nicole)

Fisher-Price Pulls Another Lead-Tainted Product In Illinois Only

Meg Marco — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:22:22 EST

Consumer Reports says that Fisher-Price has finished testing another toy blood pressure cuff and have found that it exceeds the Illinois lead limit for toys.

From Consumer Reports:

You may recall that the state's action with the first blood pressure cuff was prompted by Consumer Reports' December investigation "New worries over lead" in which we reported finding high lead levels when we tested samples of the red Fisher-Price toy blood pressure cuff, among other items. Our findings prompted Madigan's office to begin an independent investigation that led to Fisher-Price's decision to pull the product out of the state's stores. The reason: Illinois bans the sale of toys, clothing, jewelry or other children's products that contain lead in excess of 600 parts per million. It is one of the strongest lead laws in the country and more stringent than federal regulations, which place limits on only paint and surface coatings. There are no federal limits on lead in plastics such as PVC.

The current action with the green cuffs was initiated by Fisher-Price, which tested the product and then reported it to Illinois. Fisher-Price spokeswoman Juliette Reashor explained: "Through research, we identified a similar instance with the green cuff, which revealed levels of lead that, though fully compliant with all federal and international standards, exceeded the Illinois statute. We proactively reached out to the State of Illinois to inform them of our findings."

"I am pleased that Fisher-Price took the initiative to test its products, self-report a violation, quickly remove the affected blood pressure cuffs from store shelves, and offer replacements to consumers," Madigan said. "I continue to urge manufacturers and retailers to review and tighten up their quality control procedures so consumers can be confident that the items on store shelves are safe for their children."

Previously, Fisher-Price's spokesperson had made a statement informing consumers that only red blood pressure cuffs were "affected," because the other colored cuffs were made from different materials.

Fisher-Price pulls second lead-tainted blood-pressure cuff off shelves in Illinois [Consumer Reports]

PREVIOUSLY: Fisher-Price Pulls Lead Tainted Toy In Illinois Only
Amazon Pulls Fisher-Price Medical Kit After CR Lead Report
Consumer Reports Finds "Troubling" Levels Of Lead In Unrecalled Fisher-Price Toy

House Votes 407-0 To Ban Lead In Toys And Increase CPSC's Funding

Chris Walters — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:30:19 EST

Today the House of Representatives unanimously approved H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Commission Modernization Act of 2007, that virtually eliminates lead from children's toys (down to 100 parts per million by 2012) and increases the funding of the CPSC. A Senate committee approved its own version of an anti-lead/pro-CPSC bill in October, but it hasn't reached a floor vote yet—so sometime (early?) next year a final bill should be hammered out to send to the White House. Unless, of course, the lead toy furor disappears after Christmas.

The House bill would:

Increase the CPSC's budget by 30%, its largest increase in 30 years;
Require manufacturers to place tracking labels on products to improve recalls;
Provide funds to improve the CPSC's testing facilities;
Require testing by independent labs approved by the CPSC;
Effectively ban lead in children's products by reducing the allowable amount to 100 ppm 4 years after the law goes into effect;
Re-institute the CPSC's full board of 5 commissioners (down to two right now); and
Raise fines on manufacturers from $1.25 million to $10 million.

CPSC frienemy Nancy Nord must be foaming at the mouth.

"House unanimously endorses toy safety crackdown" [Reuters]
"House Approves Product-Safety Overhaul" [Forbes]
(Photo from "Wild at Heart")

RECALLS: Victoria's Secret Stuffer Bear (choking), ...

Ben Popken — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:03:42 EST

RECALLS: Victoria's Secret Stuffer Bear (choking), Discount School Supply Giant Measuring Chart (lead), AAFES "Soldier Bear" Toys (lead), Honda Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers (laceration), Bombardier Ski-Doo® Model Year 2008 MXZ X 600 RS Snowmobiles (crashing),

Recalls: Gorilla Full Body Safety Harnesses ...

Ben Popken — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:22:23 EST

Recalls: Gorilla Full Body Safety Harnesses (falling), Specialized Bicycle Helmets (not safe enough), Queso Fresco Cheese (listeria), Barrilito candy syrup (lead), Snapps Ferry Packing Ground Beef (E.Coli).

NPR Tests A Toy Safety Text Message Service

Meg Marco — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:54:42 EST

NPR went to a local Walmart to test a new toy safety search that works via text message, and while the shoppers there were definitely interested in being able to retrieve chemical test results right there in the store—the service didn't work very well in practice.

Ultimately, one of NPR's shoppers decided to just buy some fuzzy toys. No paint, no lead. Right?

Holiday Shoppers Weigh In on Toy Safety Service [NPR]
(Photo:videodvdcombo)

China and US sign product safety pact. Lucky ...

Ben Popken — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 09:23:01 EST

China and US sign product safety pact. Lucky thing they got that one banged out before Christmas. [AP]

Dangerous Toys Helping Walmart?

Meg Marco — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:43:36 EST

Parents are staying away from small toys this holiday season, says a survey from America's Research Group, and planning instead to buy more expensive tech items.

Bad news for toy retailers like Toys R Us and electronics retailers like Circuit City, but good news for Walmart:

Wal-Mart plans to keep a steadier flow of customer traffic this year by planning out an early discounting season rather than waiting until mid-December to clear out slow-moving merchandise. Consumers' acceptance of Wal-Mart's flat-screen TVs and other expensive gizmos is a stark contrast to their rejection of its higher-end clothing. No one wants to say they buy their clothes at Wal-Mart, but anyone will get a Sony there.
"That's why Circuit City and Radio Shack are closing so many stores," [Howard Davidowitz, chairman of Davidowitz & Associates, a New York-based retail consultancy], says.

Do you buy electronics at Walmart? Are staying away from small toys this year?

Toy Scare Could Help Wal-Mart [Forbes]
(Photo:bea&tsm)

Hasbro Launches Ad Campaign Promoting Its Safety Record

Chris Walters — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:00:29 EST

Yesterday Hasbro launched a new ad campaign in certain newspapers to promote its comparatively stellar safety record with toys—it hasn't had any big ticket items show up in the lead-tainted parade this year (or to the date-rape afterparty) and it wants consumers to know.

Hasbro's chief executive, Alfred J. Verrecchia, said yesterday in an online chat

"We believe that our high standards and robust testing and inspection process have allowed Hasbro to avoid any of the lead paint recalls. People should feel good about buying Hasbro products this holiday season. omg lol :)"

(We added that last bit to give it more of an online chat feeling.)

According to the Dallas Morning News,

The ad, an open letter to consumers from Hasbro chief executive Alfred Verrecchia, is meant to look like a public-service message, said Bob Chimbel, CEO of [ad agency] Uproar.

"It looks reserved, and that's how we want the message to appear," said Mr. Chimbel, whose firm's main client is Hasbro. "Logos of all our brands will appear since a lot of people know our brands, but not Hasbro."

Hasbro did recall a million Easy-Bake Ovens this summer because children's hands were getting caught in a door, but at least it wasn't a lead-tainted door. The company's last recall before that was in September 2006.

"Hasbro launches advertising blitz to counter consumer fears" [Providence Journal]
"With Dallas firm's help, Hasbro plans ad to emphasize its toys' safety" [Dallas Morning News]

RC2: Kids Falling Out Of Feeding Chair, Potty-Training Chair Contaminated With Lead

Meg Marco — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:52:39 EST

It's been one hell of a morning for RC2. The manufacturer of the infamous lead-tainted Thomas & Friends toys is recalling a feeding chair that 12 kids have managed to use as a launch platform and a "Winnie-the-Pooh" potty-training chair that's tainted with lead. Funnily enough, only the orange paint used on the "Winne-the-Pooh" plaque is tainted.

RC2 is asking that you stop using the feeding chair and contact them to request new straps that will prevent your tiny bundle of joy from experiencing sudden deceleration on the kitchen floor. Those of you with the lead tainted potty-training chair should stop using the chair until you (no, we're not making this up) "contact RC2 to receive a permanent clear protective cover that covers the plaque."

No refunds or replacement products are being offered.

For additional information, contact RC2 toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT.

RC2 Recalls Potty Training Seats Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard [CPSC]
RC2 Recalls The First Years™ Children's Feeding Seats Due to Fall Hazard [CPSC]

Recalls: Starbucks Fusion Coffee Mugs (burn), ...

Ben Popken — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 10:35:54 EST

Recalls: Starbucks Fusion Coffee Mugs (burn), Home Depot Holiday Figurines (lead), Scope Apparel Boys' Hooded Sweatshirts with Drawstrings (strangulation), RC2 First Years 3-in-1 Flush and Sounds Potty Seats (lead), RC2 First Years Newborn-to-Toddler Reclining Feeding Seats (falling), Sears Personal Identity-brand V-neck sweaters with hood (strangulation), Basic Editions-brand girls' clothing sets (entrapment, strangulation), TKS-brand children's pants (entrapment), Collins International Oscillating Ceramic Heaters sold at Menards (fire), Polaris Ranger RZR 800 EFI Utility Vehicles (fire, burn), Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms (injury).

RECALLS: Metromint flavors Peppermint, Spearmint, ...

Ben Popken — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 14:09:15 EST

RECALLS: Metromint flavors Peppermint, Spearmint, Orangemint, and Lemonmint (Bacillus cereus contamination), Ameriwood Entertainment Centers (collapsing killed child), Bell Collectible Mini Helmets (lead), Black & Decker® brand Infrawave™ Toasters (fire), Nordic Track and Reebok Inversion Benches (falling).

You can enter your kids' toys here and find ...

Ben Popken — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:01:00 EST

You can enter your kids' toys here and find out if they've been recalled for toxins. [HealthyToys.org]

Fisher-Price Pulls Lead Tainted Toy In Illinois Only

Meg Marco — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 17:12:32 EST

Illinois has tough laws when it comes to dangerous toys, and now Fisher-Price has found itself on the wrong side of the Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, according to Consumer Reports.

Back in October, CR tested the Fisher-Price Medical Kit, a classic toy that has been sold for years, and found that the plastic used for the red blood pressure cuff was tainted with lead. Unfortunately, because there is no federal law regulating the amount of lead in PVC and plastic (just paint) Fisher-Price is refusing to pull the toy from the market.

Based on the levels of accessible surface lead we measured, we estimated that a child could potentially receive a dose of more than 15 micrograms of lead per day through foreseeable hand-to-mouth contact while playing with the toy. That amount could potentially increase a child's risk of accumulating a blood lead level that exceeds 10 micrograms per deciliter—the threshold established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that generally triggers some form of intervention by doctors or public health officials.
Although we discussed our test results with Fisher-Price and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), neither took immediate action. Fisher-Price contends that the toy "is fully compliant" with all federal regulations, which CPSC confirms. But the federal regulation for lead in toys places limits on only paint and surface coatings. There are no federal limits on lead in plastics such as PVC. That's a huge gap in the regulations that can leave children at risk for lead exposure.

CR says that Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan heard about their test results and commissioned separate tests to see if the toy really did contain dangerous amounts of lead.

According to the attorney general, the tests of the blood pressure cuffs revealed lead levels of 4,500 ppm and 5,900 ppm, more than seven to nine times the limit of 600 ppm allowed by Illinois state law. "Parents and other consumers should act quickly to ensure that children do not continue to have contact with this product," Madigan said.
At the request of Madigan's office, Fisher-Price has agreed to remove the affected toy Medical Kit from store shelves in Illinois and offer a replacement part—free of lead—to families that already own the toy. When asked what kit owners in other states should do, Fisher-Price spokeswoman Juliette Reashor said, "If consumers in states other than Illinois have concerns about the red blood pressure cuff, they may contact Fisher-Price at 800-298-0638."

She added that only the red cuffs are at issue. "The other colored blood pressure cuffs are made of different materials and are unaffected," Reashor said.

Here's what we would like to know: How can Fisher-Price refuse to recall the toy nationwide, while at the same time assuring parents that other colors are "unaffected?"

Hey, Fisher-Price, the toy is supposed to help kids pretend to be a doctor, not send them to see one for chelation therapy.

Fisher-Price pulls lead-tainted toy in Illinois but not other states [Consumer Reports]
Medical Kit [Fisher-Price]

PREVIOUSLY: Amazon Pulls Fisher-Price Medical Kit After CR Lead Report

Consumer Reports Finds "Troubling" Levels Of Lead In Unrecalled Fisher-Price Toy

Recalls Are A Headache For Toy Drive Organizers

Meg Marco — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:17:51 EST

Toy drive organizers are recruiting extra volunteers to help them "throw away" recalled toys, says USAToday.

"It's caused me a lot of lost sleep," says Karen Boyd, who buys toys for the Johnson County Christmas Bureau in the Kansas City metro area. Volunteers helped check whether 3,000 toys she bought on sale last spring and other donated items are on recall lists.
So far, a few dozen toys recalled because of lead content have been found. "We're checking everything," Boyd says. "If it's a child's only toy, I would hate for it to be unsafe."

Here's the really sad part, some Salvation Army locations have stopped accepting toy donations because it doesn't have the staff to check them. Other charities are only accepting donations of toys made in the U.S.

Delkor Systems, which makes packaging machines in Circle Pines, Minn., is accepting toys made only in the USA and Canada in its Toys for Tots drive.
Owner Dale Andersen made the change when he met a man whose son was hospitalized after swallowing Aqua Dots, a craft set. A chemical on the toy beads turns toxic when ingested.

If you've got some spare time, why not volunteer? If you read this recall-riddled blog you probably have a better idea than most people what is safe and what isn't.

Recalls keep toy-drive elves busy [USAToday]
(Photo:g-hat)

An amusing animation depicting the CPSC's ...

Ben Popken — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:55:54 EST

An amusing animation depicting the CPSC's epic failures through song and dance, brought to you by Consumers Union, makers of Consumer Reports. Unfortunately, neither the Chinese Poison Train nor Snively Whiplash made an appearance. [NotInMyCart]

Consumer Testing Spurs Toy Recalls

Carey — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 12:43:00 EST

The Times brings us the story of vigilant consumers who successfully drove regulatory agencies to yank dangerous toys from store shelves. We have argued, along with the CPSC, that consumer testing is an utter waste of time, but consumers who are willing to bring their suspicious toys to a professional lab are able to have a surprising impact.

Mr. Stone and his daughter Montana began their testing nine months ago after Montana heard news reports about lead in children's jewelry. She asked her father about the safety of the jewelry she had received as favors at birthday parties.
Mr. Stone, 68, used a lead testing process that he usually uses on deer carcasses to test for bullets in New York. (It is illegal in some circumstances to shoot deer with guns rather than bow and arrow.)

Mr. Stone found that more than half of his daughter's jewelry tested positive. Soon, the Stones bought 75 more pieces of jewelry in stores near their home in Albany. Of those, 56 pieces contained more than 0.06 percent lead, the federal limit, and some were half lead, Mr. Stone said, adding that he plans to continue testing children's jewelry even after the recall.

Mr. Stone works in an agency of New York state government unrelated to the attorney general, but he took his test results to Mr. Cuomo's office last February. Mr. Cuomo then started an investigation of children's jewelry sold in the state, including additional testing.

If you do try to engage a government agency, don't expect a fast response or a thank-you.

"As an individual, it's like a voice screaming in the wilderness. It's hard to be heard," said Sally Greenberg, executive director of the National Consumers League, a nonprofit organization in Washington. "Bureaucracies are not really set up to listen to the public."

Citizen Vigilance Leads to Toy Recalls [NYT]
(Photo: azrainman)

Total Number Of Products Recalled For Lead In 2007 Reaches 16.2 Million

Meg Marco — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:58:33 EST

While Aquadots grabbed all the news this month, 1,391,800 products were recalled for lead contamination. Most of them were cheap toy jewelry, cars, and action figures. The sort of stuff you see at "dollar stores."

These recalls don't grab the headlines like the Mattel and Thomas & Friends toys do, but aren't the children playing with them just as susceptible to lead poisoning?

Among the recalled products were pencil pouches that were distributed in schools and a bracelet used in school fund raisers.

Lots of jewelry was recalled, including sets sold at Limited Too, Big Lots, Family Dollar, and Michaels.

There were also lead tainted paint brushes, lead tainted sunglasses, and lead tainted Curious George dolls.

In all, November's recalls have pushed the total number of products recalled for lead contamination in 2007 to 16,203,350.

Once again we remind you not to buy cheap jewelry for your kid. It's leadtastic!

November Recalls [CPSC]

RECALLS: DesignWare Confetti Bursts (lead) ...

Ben Popken — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:42:46 EST

RECALLS: DesignWare Confetti Bursts (lead) (How do you even get lead on confetti? Easy. Lead-based paint) Sweetwater Valley Farms Sharp and Mild Cheddar (Listeria).

Only 22% Of American Importers Of Chinese Goods Have Reviewed Their Supply Chain

Ben Popken — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:35:53 EST

A survey of global manufacturers found that only 22% have reviewed their supply chain in light of the Mattel lead toy recall situation. Of that number, 1/3 said they would change how they go about evaluating suppliers. 30% said they were sending quality inspectors to overseas plants. Most of the executives said their greatest fear in doing business with China wasn't defective products, but that the Chinese would make knockoffs of their wares.

Survey: Global Manufacturers Staying Put in China [the smart cube blog]

The First Lead Related Holiday Ornament Recall Of The Season Is Here!

Meg Marco — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:59:56 EST

The first retailer to be mentioned in a holiday ornament recall this year is JC Penney! The ornament in question was sold at "various retailers nationwide, including JC Penney catalog and Web site, from July 2006 through October 2007 for between $15 and $18."

Good to know that they're really on top of the problem.

Both the 2006 and the 2007 version of the ornament "contain high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standards."

Contact Reeves International Inc. at (800) 444-4775 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit their Web site at www.breyerhorses.com to receive instructions for returning the ornaments.

Reeves International Inc. Recalls Holiday Ornaments Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard [CPSC]