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New Tests: 35% of Toys Contain Some Lead

Many offenders still on shelves, environmental health groups say

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 5, 2007 2:00 PM CST
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(Newser) – Toy shelves are still lined with lead, according to test results released today from environmental health groups in nine states. Checking 1,268 toys, the groups found lead in 35%, with levels often surpassing federal recall standards. Only 23 of those toys have been recalled. “This is not about alarming parents,” one official said. “We’re just trying to give people information.”

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission will review the groups’ findings, a spokesman said, promising “More recalls are on the way.” One toy industry executive stressed that the presence of lead matters less if a child can’t get to it. “We can make products without lead,” countered the group director, citing the many clean toys the group found.

A vendor stands beside toys in a department store in Beijing Tuesday Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to weed out unqualified toy makers in the wake of a massive worldwide recall of Chinese-made toys. The plan comes two weeks after Mattel Inc., the world's largest toy...
A vendor stands beside toys in a department store in Beijing Tuesday Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to weed out unqualified toy makers in the wake of a massive worldwide recall...   (Associated Press)
A Chinese girl looks at the Barbie dolls on display for sale inside a department store in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to weed out unqualified toy makers in the wake of a massive worldwide recall of Chinese-made toys, following two weeks after...
A Chinese girl looks at the Barbie dolls on display for sale inside a department store in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to weed out unqualified toy...   (Associated Press)
In this undated graphic supplied by the Ecology Center, the lead content of a Hannah Montana Pop Star Card Game is displayed. Several environmental health groups across the country will jointly release results Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 of tests on more than 1,200 toys for lead and other harmful...
In this undated graphic supplied by the Ecology Center, the lead content of a Hannah Montana Pop Star Card Game is displayed. Several environmental health groups across the country will jointly release...   (Associated Press)
In this undated graphic supplied by the Ecology Center, First Keys are shown. Several environmental health groups across the country will jointly release results Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 of tests on more than 1,200 toys for lead and other harmful chemicals. The Consumer Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys...
In this undated graphic supplied by the Ecology Center, First Keys are shown. Several environmental health groups across the country will jointly release results Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2007 of tests on more...   (Associated Press)
Dangerous toys, including a Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway, recalled because of excessive levels of lead paint, are on display during a news conference about toy safety by the Vermont Public Interest Research Group in Montpelier, Vt., Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2007. Federal regulators sought to restore parents' confidence in toy...
Dangerous toys, including a Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway, recalled because of excessive levels of lead paint, are on display during a news conference about toy safety by the Vermont Public Interest...   (Associated Press)
A visitor looks at toys at Shanghai Toy Expo on Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007 in Shanghai, China. Toys have been the biggest source of controversy in recent months since Mattel Inc. _ the world's biggest toy maker _ ordered three recalls involving more than 21 million Chinese-made products. Many of...
A visitor looks at toys at Shanghai Toy Expo on Wednesday Oct. 17, 2007 in Shanghai, China. Toys have been the biggest source of controversy in recent months since Mattel Inc. _ the world's biggest toy...   (Associated Press)
A vendor waits for customers at a toy stall in a department store in Beijing Tuesday Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to weed out unqualified toy makers in the wake of a massive worldwide recall of Chinese-made toys. The plan comes two weeks after Mattel Inc....
A vendor waits for customers at a toy stall in a department store in Beijing Tuesday Aug. 28, 2007. China launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to weed out unqualified toy makers in the wake of a massive...   (Associated Press)
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