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500K Toys Recalled Over Lead

Levels above legal limit in China-made bookmarks, blocks, key chains

By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 4, 2007 3:19 PM CDT

(Newser) – Over half a million Chinese-made toys have been recalled due to dangerous lead levels, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today. Toys ranging from Winnie the Pooh bookmarks to Baby Einstein color blocks were found to contain levels above the .06% legal limit, Reuters reports. 192,000 dollar-store key chains were also on the recall list - not for children, but still unsafe.

The decision comes as the CPSC head was to appear at a Senate hearing over agency reforms. It follows a summer in which toy- industry behemoths pulled products with high lead levels off store shelves. But "a lot of what is being recalled is because it violates the law, not that there is an imminent health risk," one official said.

Linda Root, laboratory manager at Specialized Technology Resources, Inc., uses a razor blade to demonstrate a paint removal technique on a toy car at the laboratory, in Enfield, Conn., Thursday, Aug.... (Associated Press)

A Chinese girl looks at the Barbie dolls on display for sale inside a department store in Beijing in this Aug. 28, 2007 file photo. U.S. toy giant Mattel issued an extraordinary apology to China on Friday,... (Associated Press)

Two of the five Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway product line items being voluntarily recalled, 'Toad', left, and the black cargo car, right, photographed on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, in Providence, R.I.... (Associated Press)

Nancy Nord, acting Chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, before the Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on toy... (Associated Press)

This handout photo provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows a crayon and paint set made in China that Toys "R" Us is recalling because the packaging of the wooden box contains lead,... (Associated Press)

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Levels above legal limit in China-made bookmarks, blocks, key chains

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Wal-Mart Tightens Toy Safety Standards

Retailer goes beyond government requirements

New Tests: 35% of Toys Contain Some Lead

Many offenders still on shelves, environmental health groups say

Lead Toys Get Charities Grinchy

Checking endless recall lists saps limited resources for many

Calif. Sues Toy Firms Over Lead

State attorney general's action targets Mattel, other toy companies

Fake Teeth Recalled on Halloween

$2 Chinese-made party favors turn out to contain dangerous lead

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Levels above legal limit in China-made bookmarks, blocks, key chains

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

lead poisoning • Chinese toys • toy recalls • lead tainted toys

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Wal-Mart Tightens Toy Safety Standards

Retailer goes beyond government requirements

New Tests: 35% of Toys Contain Some Lead

Many offenders still on shelves, environmental health groups say

Lead Toys Get Charities Grinchy

Checking endless recall lists saps limited resources for many

Calif. Sues Toy Firms Over Lead

State attorney general's action targets Mattel, other toy companies

Fake Teeth Recalled on Halloween

$2 Chinese-made party favors turn out to contain dangerous lead

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Newser By Users

Community

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