Timberland Children’s Boots Recalled For Lead Paint

About 21,000 Classic Scuffproof Boots, imported by the Timberland Company, of Stratham, New Hampshire are being recalled for <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/lead_paint_poisoning">excessive lead levels, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.

The logo stamped onto the children’s boot’s insoles contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard. To date no incidents or injuries have been reported; however, effects from lead exposure often take time to appear.

This recall involves children’s Timberland 6” Classic Scuffproof Boots. The boots are wheat-colored leather and were sold in toddler size 4 through junior size 7. Model and manufacturer/date code numbers included in this recall are listed below. The model and manufacturer date code numbers are printed below the size on a white tag inside the boots.

Model Numbers: 34772, 34872, and 34972
Manufacture/Date Codes: 6456, 6556, 6656, 6756, and 6856

The recalled Timberland Classic Scuffproof Boots, which were manufactured in Thailand, were sold at shoe stores and specialty retailers nationwide from June 2009 through October 2009 for between $50 and $70.

The CPSC is advising consumers to immediately take the recalled Timberland Classic Scuffproof Boots away from children and contact Timberland to receive free replacement insoles for the boots. Timberland can be reached toll-free at 1-800-445-5545 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, or at the firm’s Web site at www.timberland.com

A recent study revealed that childhood exposure to lead can lead to permanent brain damage and we have long been writing that exposure to lead in children 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. Lead is also known to cause cancer and reproductive harm. We have also long stressed that, once poisoned by lead, no organ system is immune, particularly the developing brain because negative influences can have long-lasting effects and can continue well into puberty and beyond.

Of concern is that items, including children’s toys and products, keep turning up in the market with lead levels in excess of federally mandated lead standards; a significant issue given that we are in the midst of the heaviest shopping season of the year.