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.”

Shields said the Boy Scouts “recently” began testing products made in China and distributed by American suppliers. Out of 94 items, the totem badges were the only products found to have lead in excess of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission standards. Lead paint has been banned in the United States since 1978 because of lead’s link to brain and neurological problems, particularly in children’s still-developing systems.

The 1.6 million badges join half a million other Chinese-made products recalled this week due to lead contamination. Parents of affected scouts should get ahold of the badge and keep it away from the cubs.

Cub Scout badges are subject of latest recall [LA Times]
(Photo: AP)

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