Test Finds High Levels Of Lead In Toys, Jewelry
www.yahoo.com 2007-11-29
It seems as if everyday a new toy recall is announced because of lead contamination. That's left some parents wondering what they can safely buy for their children this Christmas.
"I've been avoiding Christmas shopping. I've been avoiding doing any major toy shopping right now," said Lisa, a North Texas mother of three daughters, ages 6-months to 12-years-old. She said the fear of lead is enough to stifle her spirit.
"You don't know what to buy for them because you don't know what's safe," she said.
It is the dilemma of the season. This year, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled more than 25 million Chinese-made toys, many for their lead content.
Lisa said she scours the internet for the latest updates and hopes she never has to do more.
"You don't expect to have to protect your children from the toys you buy them and bring into your home," she said.
She tried a home lead testing kit, sold online for $8 to $13, until the CPSC expressed skepticism.
"The CPSC finds there are false positives, there are false negatives, and that accurate readings of those home test kits just are not reliable," said Julie Vallese, spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs for the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Parents want to know what works, so the CBS 11 Investigators put popular toys, children's jewelry and home lead testing kits under the microscope. The results of the investigation could have some re-thinking their holiday shopping plan of attack.
Six toys suitable for toddlers were purchased from the Dollar Tree Store, including dolls, blocks and a car. Nine pieces of popular children's jewelry, many with lead-free labels, were purchased at Sam Moon in Dallas. Everything was made in China.
The toys were tasted at a lab at the University of Texas at Arlington.
"Two toys contained significant levels of lead," said Dr. Purnendu Dasgupta, professor and chairperson of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at UTA.
A set of wood blocks contained some lead, but below the legal limit.
But a "Baby Chikz Doll Toyset" was way off the charts. The test found it contained a thousand parts per million. The federal government limits lead content to 600 parts per million in paint.
"I think it should be pulled off the shelves," said Dr. Dasgupta.
A spokesperson for the Dollar Tree Store said the findings sparked an internal investigation of the toy. Once the investigation is complete, they said they will take appropriate action.
Lab results showed the lead content in the children's jewelry was even higher than in the toys. While two of the pieces contained traces of lead, every other piece measured moderate or significantly high.
The CPSC is working toward an outright ban of lead in children's jewelry.
In the meantime, Vallese said, "Any parent that is thinking about metal jewelry as a gift, keep in mind the age of the child and the action of the child. If your child is one who tends to mouth a product, it may not be the most appropriate gift right now."
Dr. Sing-Yi Feng, a medical toxicologist with the North Texas Poison Control Center and a pediatric emergency attendant at Children's Medical Center Dallas said lead exposure is always a concern because of its detrimental health effects.
But when it comes to toys, she said, "The fortunate thing is that there does not seem to be any immediate danger, because of the fact that there just seems to be no cases of lead poisoning secondary to these toys."
She said the more looming threat of lead is in the environment and could be in your own home. She recommends all children take a blood lead level test around 12 to 15 months. Your pediatrician can arrange for more tests if you're concerned about future exposure.
As for the lead tests, Dr. Feng said, "I don't think necessarily those are a bad thing. If they are truly concerned, and they just want to make sure that the lead levels around the home are appropriate, I think that's fine."
Parents should remember that the home kits are surface tests, which do not measure what's inside the toy. The "Baby Chikz" doll tested negative with three different home test kits, even though lab results were positive.
Experts say don't play scrooge this holiday season. Just do your homework.
"Know what kind of products out there do contain lead paint, be aware of the recalls that are being announced and in use," Dr. Feng said.
"Making sure that the right toys are given to the right child is really key to enforcing safety," said Vallese.
A spokesperson from Sam Moon sent the following statement in response to the investigation:
Sam Moon Trading Co. was extremely alarmed and concerned when we were notified that some of our kid's jewelry may have high lead content. We have removed all such items from our stores. All of our current kid's jewelry has been tested and meets or exceeds all Federal Safety Standards for regulation of lead and other heavy metals in children's products.
(editor : jane)
