Children’s Jewelry Craft Kits Recalled for Lead

Another <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/product_liability">dangerous children’s toy is being recalled over the risk of lead exposure. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

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(CPSC) and Health Canada (HC) have announced that Action Products International Inc. of Ocala, Florida has recalled about 2,900 of its Abalone and Venetian Carnevale Necklace and Craft Kits in the United States. In Canada, the recall involves 36 kits.

The lobster clasps in both craft kits contain high lead levels. The Abalone Necklace’s pendant also contains high levels of lead. The recall includes the children’s jewelry craft kits “Abalone Necklace” (item #67117) and “Venetian Carnevale Necklace” (item #67118). Both kits contain components to assemble necklaces including charms, beads, wire, and clasps. The kit’s name, model number, and “Curiosity Kits” are printed on the product’s packaging. The recalled Abalone and Venetian Carnevale Necklace and Craft Kits were manufactured in China and sold at a variety of retailers in the U.S. and Canada from June 2007 through April 2009 and sold for about $6.

The CPSC and HC are advising consumers to immediately take the recalled craft necklaces away from children and contact Action Products International to arrange for the necklace’s return and receive a free replacement. Shipping is free for consumer returns. Action Products International can be reached toll-free at 1-800-772-2846 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. ET, or at its Website at www.APII.com

We have long been covering the issue of lead exposure and lead poisoning, which is considered by many to be one of the most important chronic environmental illnesses affecting children today, with exposure leading to a variety of dangerous effects. Lead exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral and other health problems in children and unborn children. In adults, lead is known to cause cancer, reproductive harm, and nervous system damage.

Despite efforts to control lead poisoning, serious cases still occur. Once poisoned, no organ system is immune and, of particular concern, is the developing brain because of leads’ long-lasting effects, which can continue well into puberty and beyond.

Lead poisoning is difficult to recognize because its symptoms are subtle and no specific indicators exist or point to contamination. Children with lead poisoning may experience irritability, sleeplessness or excess lethargy, poor appetite, headaches, abdominal pain with or without vomiting—and generally without diarrhea—constipation, and 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. There may also be dental pointers; for instance, lead lines on gingival tissue.

We wrote in late April that the CPSC issued new guidelines for lead in paint, which involve testing protocols for paint and some painted products that verify lead limits on toys and children’s products. The definition of lead standards is contained in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and includes Toy Industry Association (TIA) recommendations.
Most recently, about 50 “Dinosaur Era 2 Hunting Dinosaur” play sets imported by DND Imports of Los Angeles, California, were recalled for violation of the lead paint standard. The recalled play sets were manufactured in China.