With the recall of some Thomas & Friends and Sponge Bob toys on August 22, the total number of products recalled due to lead contamination in 2007 reached 10,020,300, according to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. None of the items were manufactured in the US, so the recall responsibility and cost falls squarely on the shoulders of the US importers. We took at look back at 2007’s lead recalls to try to understand the scope of the problem.
jewelry
Lead-Tainted Charms From China Very Unlucky
By 8.7.07
The poisonous lead story continues this week with news that 20% of trinkets and charms sold in the United States still contain dangerous levels of lead. In a surprise to no one, “of the 17.9 million pieces of jewelry items pulled from the market since the start of 2005, 95 percent were made in China.” Here’s a good scare quote to drive home the danger:
Jewelry is perhaps the most dangerous place for lead because children can swallow an entire ring or pendant, causing acute poisoning, which can cause respiratory failure, seizures and even death, whereas neurological damage and learning deficiencies are often associated with exposure to lead paint. Many children also tend to suck on jewelry or put it in their mouths, allowing lead to be absorbed into their bloodstream.
Jeweler Caught Selling Fake Tiffany Items
By 8.6.07
Tiffany said that according to the judgment issued by a federal court in New York, Starglam Inc., and its principal, John Shamir, should not engage in any further counterfeiting of Tiffany-branded items or infringing on its trademark.
Lead Prompts Recall Of Children's Necklaces, Earrings, And Rings
By 2.25.07
Kmart and Big Lots! are voluntarily recalling 121,000 necklaces, earrings, and rings that contain lead. This stunning announcement is sure to devastate Valentine sweethearts in pre-schools across the nation.
Man Hides in Furniture Box; Steals $80,000 from Kmart
By 11.28.06
Introducing our new favorite alleged thief, Greg G. Giannotta. Our buddy Greg, “hid inside a furniture box at Kmart until closing time and, according to police, swept the jewelry department nearly clean of merchandise.”
Succumbing to Shirley Temple’s Deadly Charms
By 5.5.06
The children’s toy industry apparent refusal to stop putting lead in jewelry products lends itself to this morning’s best lede: “The good ship Lollipop has some unsafe cargo.”
Consumer Complaints: Blue Niles Break Half-Price Promises
By 2.15.06
Dollsome reader Paige C. writes in about the tragic mislaying of one of her Blue Nile earrings. It is rather predictably followed by a smattering of appalling customer service on Blue Nile’s part after they promise (then deny) her a half-priced replacement:
Today in LoBo: Soda Can Cuffs
By 1.10.06
Independent design collective retailer (we’re just stringing together words until they mean something [everyday]) Elsewares is selling these beer and soda can cuffs for $80 a pop. Cuffs are borderline passe anyway, but when coupled with pop culture brand references, they very nearly cause our irony gland to liquify. That said, if you’re going to spend four Jacksons on a pop can, please pick one with a nice design, like the always-classy Tab soda.
