About 14,000 Moroccan Tea Glasses distributed by Cost Plus Inc., of Oakland, California are being recalled due to risk of <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/toxic_substances">lead exposure, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.
The Moroccan tea glasses contain excessive levels of lead in the exterior coloring. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. To date, no injuries have been reported; however, the effects of lead exposure and poisoning are not always immediately evident.
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.
Lead poisoning is the greatest environmental health threat to children under the age of six. Children under six face these great risks because their growing bodies absorb lead more easily than adult bodies do.
The recalled Moroccan tea glasses, which were manufactured in Morocco, were sold in seven- and 11.25-ounce sizes. The glasses have an etched graphic design on its exterior; were sold in assorted colors, such as blue, green, and red; and were sold at Cost Plus/World Market stores nationwide from June 2009 through November 2009. The recalled glasses sold for about $5 for the seven-ounce tea glass and about $6 for the 11.25-ounce tea glass.
The CPSC is advising consumers should immediately stop using the recalled tea glasses for food or beverage and return the glasses to any Cost Plus/World Market store for a full refund. Cost Plus can be reached toll-free at (877) 967-5362 between 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., Eastern Time, any day or at the firm’s Web site at www.worldmarket.com.
