Even clothing can contain <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/toxic_substances">lead, a deadly and toxic heavy metal. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced a recall of about 90,000 Girl’s Tops distributed by My Michelle of New York, New York. The jewelry and decorative trim attached to the girl’s garments contain high levels of lead.
This girls clothing recall involves tops and dresses sold in sizes small to extra large and 7 to 16 that were sold in various styles including tops with beaded necklaces or with metallic beads attached to the collar. All styles of tops and dresses have a black tag affixed to the collar with pink print that reads “mymichelle.” The contaminated clothing, which was manufactured in Vietnam, was sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney, Kohl’s, Army and Air Force Exchange (AAFES), K & G Fashion Superstore, and other retail stores nationwide from January 2011 through March 2011 for about $38.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately take the recalled garments away from children. While no illnesses have been reported, to date, in connection with this problem, the effects of lead poisoning can take time to become apparent and symptoms are often difficult to identify.
Lead exposure in children and unborn children can lead to brain and nervous system damage, behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral 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.
Lead is also known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system. Children with lead poisoning may experience irritability, sleeplessness or excess lethargy, poor appetite, headaches, 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 show up dentally, for instance, lead lines on gingival tissue.
In adults there may be motor problems and an increase in depressive disorders, aggressive behavior, and other maladaptive affective disorders as well as problems with sexual performance, impotence and infertility, and sleep disorders; they may be over-sleeping or have difficulty falling asleep.
Consumers can contact My Michelle for information on receiving a full refund by calling, toll-free, at 1.800.960.8791 between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday through Friday; at the firm’s website at www.mymichellerecall.com; or by email at [email protected].
