About 1,000 TechnoSkin Foam Balls and Sportime TechStitched Soccer Balls imported by Sportime, of Norcross, Georgia, have been recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.
Surface paints on the recalled sports balls contain excessive levels of lead, which is a violation of the federal <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/lead_paint_poisoning">lead paint standard. Although no incidents or injuries have been reported, the effects of lead exposure and lead poisoning are not always immediately evident. For instance, people with high blood levels of lead may show no symptoms, but the condition may cause damage to the nervous system and internal organs. Acute lead poisoning may cause a wide range of symptoms, including abdominal pain, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and bloody or decreased urinary output.
A known neurotoxin, lead exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage in children and fetuses. The toxin also causes behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, headaches, mental and physical retardation, and behavioral and other health problems. Of particular concern is the developing brain because negative influences can have long-lasting effects and can continue well into puberty and beyond. Lead is known to cause cancer and reproductive harm and, in adults, can damage the nervous system. In high doses, lead poisoning can cause seizure, coma, and death. Once poisoned by lead, no organ system is immune; experts agree that there is no safe level of lead.
This recall involves certain SchoolSmart TechnoSkin Coated Foam Balls and TechStitched Soccer Balls: The TechnoSkin Foam Balls measure between 2 ¾ and 8 ¼ inches in diameter; the Sportime TechStitched Soccer Ball is a standard size soccer ball. The TechnoSkin Foam Balls and Sportime TechStitched Soccer Balls were sold at Sportime’s catalog and on the firm’s website at www.schoolspecialty.com, from December 2006 through August 2009 for between $28 and $110 per set.
The recalled TechnoSkin Foam Balls and Sportime TechStitched Soccer Balls were imported from China. Of note, imports from China into the United States have long been making headlines for issues with defective parts and dangerous elements, including hazardous lead levels in children’s toys and products, parts that can break off and pose choking hazards to children, and problems with hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings that are considered defective and dangerous to children. Recalls have also been associated with unsafe, sometimes deadly, medications, pet food, consumer food and health items, and the ongoing drywall debacle that has been the culprit in untold numbers of cases involving homes across the United States plagued with corroding metals and offensive odors. In many cases the entire gutting of houses has been mandated to correct the problem.
The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately take the recalled products away from children and contact Sportime for instructions to receive a full refund or replacement product. Sportime can be reached toll-free at (888) 388-3224 anytime, at the firm’s website at www.schoolspecialty.com, or by email at [email protected].
