Three Lead Recalls Related

On Wednesday the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of three products containing excessive levels of lead. The products, which are being voluntarily recalled, include tabletop puppet theatres, bookmarks, and Halloween skull pails.

The CPSC warns that paint used on parts of these products contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard and that consumers should immediately take these products away from children.

About 5,400 Tabletop Puppet Theaters manufactured by Guidecraft Inc. of Englewood, New Jersey which have been sold nationwide from June 2006 through August 2007 are being recalled. Theatres included in the recall were manufactured in China and will have red panels on the front and sides. Guidecraft is offering either a replacement theatre or another product of equal value to affected consumers.

Following the recall of about 150,000 bookmarks and journals earlier this month, Antioch Publishing of Yellow Springs Ohio is now recalling approximately 200,000 Cool Clips bookmarks and Mini Cool Clips bookmarks manufactured in China and imported to the US by Antioch. The recall includes the Sun, Daisy/Believe, Tiki, Flip Flop, Lady Bug, Music Symbol, SHH!, Flower & Tiki, Peace Flower & Yin Yang, and Lighthouse & Sailboat designs sold nationwide from April 2003 through October 2007. Consumers who purchased any of these products should contact Antioch Publishing for a refund.

Approximately 55,000 Skull Pails manufactured in China and sold at retail locations in September and October of 2007 are being recalled by manufacturer R.L. Albert & Son, of Greenwich, Connecticut. The skulls, which contain candy, are white in color with green eyes and teeth and have a label which displays "Albert's" and "Skull Pail Filled with Halloween Candy Mix." Alberts is advising consumers to return the product to the store where it was purchased for a full refund.

In 1978 the CPSC banned the use of lead paint in toys and many other consumer products manufactured in the United States, reducing the maximum allowable lead level in paints from .5 percent to .06 percent citing the risk of lead poisoning in children.

According to the National Safety Council, children under 6 are most susceptible to lead poisoning. High levels of exposure can cause numerous complications up to and including death. Continued exposure to low levels of lead can also cause a number of health problems including IQ and learning problems, stunted growth, behavioral and attention problems, hearing problems and kidney problems.

Sources:

October 2007 Recalls and Product Safety News, Consumer Products Safety Commission

Lead Containing Paint Ban, Consumer Products Safety Commission

Lead Poisoning, National Safety Council