About 1,000 Wooden Animal Drums are being recalled because the lead paint used on the drum exceeds the maximum allowable level, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced. The Wooden Animal Drum was manufactured in China; imported by Cost Plus Inc. of Oakland, California; and sold at Cost Plus World Market stores nationwide […]
About 1,000 Wooden Animal Drums are being recalled because the lead paint used on the drum exceeds the maximum allowable level, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.
The Wooden Animal Drum was manufactured in China; imported by Cost Plus Inc. of Oakland, California; and sold at Cost Plus World Market stores nationwide from December 2010 through May 2011 for about $7.
The lead paint used on the drum was found to exceed the maximum legal level of 90 parts per million (ppm), which violates the federal lead paint standard.
Although no incidents or injuries have been reported, the nature of lead exposure and poisoning can take some time to manifest in symptoms.
The recalled Wooden Animal Drum is a wooden hexagon drum with pictures of animals on the six sides. SKU No. 424857 is printed on a sticker on the bottom of the drum.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately stop using the defective Wooden Animal Drum and return it to Cost Plus World Market for a full refund. Cost Plus can be reached, toll-free, at 1.877.967.5362 between 7:00 a.m. and midnight, Eastern time (ET), seven days a week, or at the firm’s website at www.worldmarket.com.
As we’ve long explained, lead can accumulate in the body over time and pregnant women, infants, and young children, especially, should avoid exposure to lead. 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 the negative influences of 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—generally without diarrhea—and 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. Lead exposure and poisoning can also show up dentally, for instance, via lead lines on gingival tissue.
Lead is also known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system. In adults exposed to excessive lead levels, motor problems and an increase in depressive, aggressive, sleep, and maladaptive affective disorders may be observed. Problems with sexual performance, impotence, and infertility as well as over-sleeping or difficulty falling asleep might also be seen.
People concerned about blood lead levels should contact their physician or health clinic to discuss testing.
