Staff Blog

The Latest on Lead Recalls

UPDATE: Sadly, the lead paint recalls roll on. On September 4, Mattel announced a third major recall, affecting 675,000 Barbie accessory toys, due to lead paint. That same day, Fischer-Price announced two more recalls of almost 100,000 products, covering Bongo Band toys and Geo Trax Locomotive toys. Mattel, however, regards as optional compliance with CPSC's regulations for notification about safety concerns. In some cases, Mattel has taken months to report claims of hazardous products to the CPSC although regulations require disclosure within 24 hours. Mattel's Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Eckert told the Wall Street Journal that "the company discloses problems on its timetable because it believes both the law and the commission's enforcement practices are unreasonable." The same article provides examples of harm caused by delayed recalls (including an inhaled screw) and notes that "Mattel said it should be able to evaluate hazards internally before alerting any outsiders, regardless of what the law says."

 

It's been a long, hot summer for the toy industry as recall after recall of products ranging from Ken Dolls to baby bibs to spinoffs of Thomas the Tank Engine has rocked parents' faith in the pickings of store shelves. Lead-based paint has been the common reason for these Consumer Product Safety Commission recalls. As recently as yesterday, Robbie Ducky Kids Watering Cans were recalled from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft stores due to lead paint. The sad fact is, as Natalie Angier noted in The New York Times, that brain-damaging lead compounds are not only unsafe at any level in the body but also can have a sweet flavor that entices children to eat them. So, when paint peels from a SpongeBob SquarePants journal or a Curious George Spinning Top, the risk of it ending up in kids's mouths is all the greater.

Federal regulations leave compliance with these recalls voluntary. New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, however, is sending out inspectors to pull recalled toys from store shelves and fine owners. Given that one in ten shops still carried the toys as of August 17, New York's State Health Commissioner Richard Daines has argued there is an immediate threat to public safety. Meanwhile, the U.S. House subcommittee on commerce, trade and consumer protection will hold a hearing on September 19 on protecting children from lead-contaminated products. China has also announced a four-month campaign starting in September to improve the quality of its food, drug, appliance and toy exports.

But, with over 80 percent of toys on U.S. store shelves made in China, how can we really be confident in those remaining? The steady stream of recalls may have you worrying that it's only a matter of time before your next purchase winds up on a CSPC list. Since most of us don't have handheld lead scanners, it's simpler just to look for unfinished solid wood toys (or those finished with linseed oil, tung oil or beeswax) as well as organic cotton dolls and puppets. For tips on better toy manufacturers, see our Toys Product Report.

© The Green Guide, 2008

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