Build-A-Bear Workshop®, of St. Louis, Missouri is recalling its Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins over lead contamination concerns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada (HC) just announced. About 26,500 Build-A-Bear Workshop® Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins have been recalled in the United States; 2,200 more pins have been recalled in Canada. Surface paints on the […]
Build-A-Bear Workshop®, of St. Louis, Missouri is recalling its Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins over lead contamination concerns, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Health Canada (HC) just announced.
About 26,500 Build-A-Bear Workshop® Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins have been recalled in the United States; 2,200 more pins have been recalled in Canada.
Surface paints on the Build-A-Bear Workshop® Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins contain excessive levels of lead which is prohibited under federal law. Although no incidents or injuries have been reported, to date, it is important to note that the effects of lead exposure and poisoning can take some time to manifest.
The Build-A-Bear Workshop® Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins were manufactured in China; imported by Build-A-Bear Workshop®, of St. Louis, Missouri; and sold by Build-A-Bear Workshop stores nationwide and online at www.buildabear.com from July 2009 through October 2010 for $3.50 in the U.S. and $4 (CDN) in Canada.
The 1.5 inch Build-A-Bear Workshop® Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins features graphics of a heart, bear head, and peace sign all positioned in front of a globe. The words “Love.Hugs.Peace.†appear at the bottom of the pin.
Consumers are advised to immediately stop using the Build-A-Bear Workshop® Love.Hugs.Peace Lapel Pins and to return the lapel pin to any Build-A-Bear Workshop store to receive a $5 store coupon. If it is not possible to return the pin to a store, consumers are advised to contact the company for alternate instructions on receiving a refund. Build-A-Bear Workshop can be reached, toll-free, at 1.866.236.5683 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Central Time (CT), Monday through Friday; between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. CT Saturday; or at the company’s website at www.buildabear.com.
A toxic heavy metal, lead can accumulate in the body over time. Pregnant women, infants, and young children, especially, should avoid exposure to lead since lead exposure in children and unborn children can lead to brain and nervous system damage; slowed growth; headaches; mental and physical retardation; and behavioral, learning, hearing, and other health problems. The developing brain is of particular concern because lead exposure can have long-lasting effects and can continue well into puberty and beyond. Once poisoned, no organ system is immune.
Children with lead poisoning may experience irritability, sleeplessness or excess lethargy, poor appetite, abdominal pain with or without vomiting and generally without diarrhea. Children might also become constipated or could exhibit changes in activity level. A child with lead toxicity can be iron deficient and pale because of anemia and can be either hyperactive or lethargic. Lead exposure and poisoning can also show up dentally, for instance, via lead lines on gingival tissue.
Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system. In adults excessive lead levels can cause motor problems and an increase in depressive, aggressive, sleep, and maladaptive affective disorders. Also, issues with sexual performance, impotence, and infertility as well as over-sleeping or insomnia might occur.