lead

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Accessory Toys (lead), Fisher Price Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys (lead), Fisher-Price Recalls Geo Trax Locomotive Toys (lead), NettoCollection “Moderne” and “Loft” Cribs (entrapment, strangulation), d-Scan Jubee Bunk Beds (collapse). Mattel’s CEO appeared in a new apology video, featuring shots of people in lab coats going through the motions of testing toys (we like how the guy in the beginning nods his head as he writes down a figure, nice lil piece of overacting there).

More Mattel Lead Painted Toy Recalls Tomorrow

More Mattel Lead Painted Toy Recalls Tomorrow

Toy-giant Mattel will recall yet more toys covered in deadly lead-tainted paint, the AP reports.

Annoyed With Toy Companies Trying To Poison Your Kids? Make Your Own Toys.

Annoyed With Toy Companies Trying To Poison Your Kids? Make Your Own Toys.

Craft magazine has put together a round-up of safe toys that you can make for your kids. The downside is that you have to stop being lazy and learn to do something yourself. (Awful, we know.) The upside is that unless you’re buying the cloth from New Zealand, the odds of you poisoning your own child are low.

Over 10,000,000 Items Recalled For Lead Contamination In 2007

Over 10,000,000 Items Recalled For Lead Contamination In 2007

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.

Meet The X-MET3000TXR+ Handheld Lead Detector

Meet The X-MET3000TXR+ Handheld Lead Detector

In response to growing concerns about toxic levels of lead in paint and metal on children’s toys, Oxford Instruments has developed a hand held electronic lead detector, a veritable rock boulder on the tracks of the Chinese Poison Train.

Walmart To Test 20% More Toys

Walmart To Test 20% More Toys

According to the Washington Post, Walmart will test 20% more toys in an effort to crack down on toy safety. Nu Wexler from Walmart Watch accused them of missing the point:

“Wal-Mart’s not addressing the larger problem of why Chinese toy suppliers are cutting corners with lead paint and melamine,” spokesman Nu Wexler said, referring to a harmful additive found in pet food made in China. “It’s because they’re under enormous pressure from buyers like Wal-Mart, and they’re sacrificing child safety to keep costs low.”

Walmart has hired three firms to help it ramp up the testing. Walmart says:

“We know this is an issue at the top of mind with our customers, and we know we can play a role to reassure them that we have great, safe toys in our stores,” said Laura Phillips, Wal-Mart’s merchandise manager overseeing toys.”

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Address Books and Journals (lead), Krasdale Gravy Dry Dog Food 5lb Bags (salmonella), one unaccounted for Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula Dry Dog Food 50lb Bag (salmonella).

Thomas And Friends Railroading Parents On Shipping Charges For Recalled Toys

Thomas And Friends Railroading Parents On Shipping Charges For Recalled Toys

The maker of Thomas the Tank Engines recalled for lead poisoning promised to send a replacement toy and refund parents the full cost of shipping back the recalled toys, but several parents are angry after receiving less-than-full reimbursement checks.

Will Spitzer's Proposed Child Protection Laws Work?

Will Spitzer's Proposed Child Protection Laws Work?

As we mentioned earlier, Elliot Spitzer, the governor of New York, seems a bit miffed about the whole lead recall thing. He’s issued a press release about some “initiatives” he’s taking in response to the recent recalls because he feels the CPSC doesn’t have enough power to deal with the problem.

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Hampton Direct Magnetic Toy Train Sets (lead).

Lawsuit Says Mattel Should Pay For Lead Testing

Lawsuit Says Mattel Should Pay For Lead Testing

A lawsuit filed Monday asks Mattel to pay for lead testing to determine if children have been exposed to lead from the millions of recalled toys.

5 Things To Do To Avoid Lead Poisoning

5 Things To Do To Avoid Lead Poisoning

Consumer Reports has five things parents can do to avoid poisoning their children with leadly toys:

The Softer Side Of Lead Paint

The Softer Side Of Lead Paint

Foreign manufacturers use lead paint not because they want to poison American children, but because lead paint is, “bright, durable, flexible, fast-drying, and cheap.” The domestic use of lead paint in residences, hospitals, and children’s products was banned in 1978, though lead paint is still widely used. Slate explains:

New York Decries CPSC's Inability To Impose Mandatory Recalls, Announces Initiatives To Combat Lead Poisoning

New York Decries CPSC's Inability To Impose Mandatory Recalls, Announces Initiatives To Combat Lead Poisoning

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer is taking action to ensure the prompt removal of recalled products, responding to the CPSC’s unwillingness to ask for, or accept, the authority to impose mandatory recalls. The following proposals do not require approval by the Legislature, and will go into effect immediately:

Leadly Poisonous Toys R' Us Bibs; No Fed Recall Yet

Leadly Poisonous Toys R' Us Bibs; No Fed Recall Yet

Toys R’ Us bibs test high for lead, three times the normal allowable level. Beware “Winni’ the Pooh” “Koala Baby” and “Especially for Baby” brand bibs. Unlike previous recalls, it’s not the paint that’s full of lead. The vinyl on the bibs themselves contain lead compounds.

How To Treat Lead Poisoning

Lead Poisoning [WebMD]

How To Detect Lead Poisoning

How To Detect Lead Poisoning

Amidst the lead paint recalls, parents are turning to home-based lead test kits to protect their children and families from lead poisoning.

Mattel Recalls Over 7 Million Chinese-Made Toys For Lead Paint, Magnets

Mattel Recalls Over 7 Million Chinese-Made Toys For Lead Paint, Magnets

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.