A Utah child developed painful constipation after it was discovered that her family was using lead-tainted plates sold by Walmart. Investigators found the plates had lead levels of 11. Utah considers anything about 1 “unacceptable.”
By November 9, 2007
Babies R Us Wendy Bellissimo Collection Convertible Cribs (entrapment, strangulation), Dollar Store Children’s Fashion Sunglasses (lead), Coby Electronics spheroid DVD/CD/MP3 Players (fire), Honda HRX217KHXA and HRX217KHMA Lawn Mowers (fire), Yamaha AC Power Adaptors used with keyboards and digital drum sets (shock).
By November 8, 2007
AquaDots (contain chemical that turns into date rape drug GHB after you eat it), Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP) (fire), “Robot 2000″ collectible tin robot (lead), Dizzy Ducks Music Box (lead), Winnie-the-Pooh Spinning Top (lead), Duck Family Collectible Wind-Up Toy (lead), Dollar Store Super Wheels (lead), Dragster and Funny Car toy (lead), Northern Tool & Equipment “Big Red” Wagons (lead).
Amazon Pulls Fisher-Price Medical Kit After CR Lead Report
By November 6, 2007
Mike Antonucci from the Mercury News tells us that Amazon.com has pulled the lead-tainted Fisher-Price Medical Kit from its website after fielding questions about a Consumer Reports investigation that found “troubling” levels of lead in the blood pressure cuff.
CPSC Chair Rebuffs Calls For Resignation
By November 1, 2007
Despite Democrats clamoring for her resignation, CPSC chair Nancy Nord says she’s staying put. Nord is a shill-bag. She couldn’t answer direct questions from Congress. She couldn’t even say “yes” when they asked her if the CPSC needed more money. Toss all the bums out and get some new ones in quick.
Consumer Reports Finds "Troubling" Levels Of Lead In Unrecalled Fisher-Price Toy
By October 29, 2007
Consumer Reports is busy testing lead levels in children’s toys that are not on any recall list just to see if they are safe. They’re nice like that.
See All CPSC Toy Recalls On One Page
By October 25, 2007
So the CPSC is always recalling all sorts of crap, like the surprising candles which could lead to fire, or the snowboards which could lead to falling, but as a concerned parent, all you care about is the toys. The freakin’ toys. The ones with the lead and the chokey parts. Well, even though their website coder probably doubles as the meatloaf server at lunchtime, they’ve got a catchall page that is your go-to spot for all the toy hazard related recalls. Just memorize the simple URL: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html.
CPSC Says Consumer Lead Testing Kits Are A Complete Waste Of Time
By October 22, 2007
The CPSC has announced the results of a special investigation into the effectiveness of home lead testing kits. The verdict? Don’t waste your time.
Walmart Recalls "Realistic Animals" Tainted With Lead
By October 21, 2007
A plague of lead has stricken Walmart’s stock of “realistic animals”. Affected animals include farm animals, jungle animals, and even the feared dinosaur. The animals are currently trapped in chinsy cellophane bags clad shut by a brandless cardboard strip that proudly boasts: 88 Cents!
“Wal-Mart said independent testing revealed excessive levels of lead in the base material, not the surface coating.”
By October 18, 2007
Despite problems involving Chinese-made goods sold in the U.S., a Chinese spokesperson says that orders for Christmas toys are “up” and that factories can’t keep up with demand. But he also says, “I urge the importers of Chinese toys to come to China and buy more Chinese toys and I wish children around the world a Merry Christmas,” which makes the claim sound like PR spin. [Reuters]
By October 17, 2007
Albert’s Skull Pails Filled With Halloween Candy Mix (lead), Antioch Cool Clip™ and Mini Cool Clip™ Bookmarks (lead), Guidecraft Tabletop Puppet Theaters (lead), John Deere Gator Utility Vehicles (injury), Nautilus Bowflex® Ultimate 2 Home Gyms (injury), Plow & Hearth Recalls Aluminum Chimenea (fire, burn), Dunkin’ Donuts Glow Sticks Due (choking, strangulation), Procycle Rocky Mountain-Solo Bicycles (fall).
Winne-The-Pooh Playsets Are Contaminated With Lead, Not Honey
By October 12, 2007
Winnie-the-Pooh is the latest character to fall victim to the lead toy contamination epidemic, according to the CPSC, which recalled the playsets yesterday.
By October 12, 2007
“Jeff Gordon” Mini Helmets (lead), Kipp Brothers Bendable Dinosaur Toys (lead), Cracker Barrel Princess Magnetic Travel Art Set Lap Desks (lead), Disney™ Deluxe Winnie-the-Pooh 23-Piece Play Sets (lead), J.C. Penney Deluxe Wood Art Sets (lead), J.C. Penney Breyer 2006 Stirrup Ornaments (lead), Wegmans Food You Feel Good About Country Wheat Rolls (actually potato rolls, with undeclared milk allergen), Aliki Chicken Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo Made with White Chicken (Listeria), J.C. Penney “Alyssa” Shag Rugs (fire), Ross Stores Turtle Sprinklers (laceration), Collections Etc. Inc. Double Hammocks (falling), Alltrade Tools Recalls Power Tool Batteries (burn and laceration), Fisher Controls International, Gas Regulators (leaks).
60% Of Lipsticks Contain Lead
By October 12, 2007
Well, this explains a lot about children’s beauty pageants: the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 33 brand-name lipsticks, including brands like Cover Girl, L’Oreal, and Christian Dior, and are reporting that “61 percent had detectable lead levels of 0.03 to 0.65 parts per million (ppm).” One-third of the lipsticks tested had levels higher than 0.1 ppm, the FDA’s safety limit for lead in candy.
Environmental Group Says Curious George Doll Is Tainted With Lead
By October 11, 2007
The Center for Environmental Health says they’ve tested a Curious George doll that is currently on stores shelves and found that it contains more than “ten times the legal lead limit”, prompting Marvel Entertainment Group to stop new shipments from China.
Do Consumers Actually Participate In Recalls? (No.)
By October 10, 2007
Despite all the hand-wringing on our part, we consumers don’t actually participate in recalls at a very high level. This leaves both manufacturers and the CPSC in the dark about whether their warnings are reaching the right people—which is why the House approved a bill this Tuesday that would require manufacturers of certain infant and toddler products to keep registration info on their customers.
1.6 Million Cub Scout Badges Contaminated With Lead
By October 6, 2007
A scout may be trustworthy, loyal, and helpful – but not lead free, according to a recent announcement from the Boy Scouts of America. The scouts are recalling 1.6 million Chinese-made badges contaminated with lead paint. The totem badges were issued to 7 and 8-year-old cub scouts who completed certain tasks, “including memorizing the Cub Scouts’ motto, sign, handshake, and salute, and mastering an elective such as caring for a pet, growing a plant indoors, or making a stencil pattern.”
