The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has just issued two press releases concerning toy recalls over violations of the lead standard.
In the first release, the CPSC announced that importer OKK Trading of Los Angeles, California, is recalling about 5,400 Toy Army Figures because the surface paint on the face of the Army figures contains excessive levels of lead that are in violation of the lead paint standard. The Toy Army Figures were made in China, are 7 ½ inches tall, are plastic, and are dressed in Army fatigues and guns. The Toy Army Figures retailed for about $1 and were sold at dollar type retailers and OKK Trading’s Website from June 2008 through September 2008. The CPSC is alerting consumers to immediately take the recalled toys away from children and contact OKK Trading for a full refund or replacement toy. OKK Trading can be reached at (877) 655-8697 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or at its Website at www.okktoys.com.
The CPSC also announced that manufacturer Manhattan Group of Minneapolis, Minnesota is recalling about 9,200 Groovy Fashions™ Sassy Jammies™ Doll Clothing Sets because surface paints on the pajama pants contain excessive levels of lead, which violates the federal lead paint standard. The Groovy Fashions™ Sassy Jammies™ Doll Clothing Sets are a two-piece pajama set with eye mask and slippers. The pajama top is pink satin and the pants are dark brown with multiple-colored flowers printed on them. The Groovy Fashions™ Sassy Jammies™ Doll Clothing Sets—which were made in Indonesia—were sold for about $12 via mail order, over the Internet, and in specialty gift stores nationwide from January 2008 through October 2008. The CPSC is alerting consumer to immediately take the Groovy Fashions™ Sassy Jammies™ Doll Clothing Sets away from children and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund or store credit. Manhattan Group can be reached at (800) 541-1345 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or at its Website at www.manhattantoy.com.
In children and fetuses, lead exposure 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 and, in adults, lead can damage the nervous system. Once poisoned by lead, no organ system is immune. Unfortunately, lead poisoning is difficult to recognize because it manifests with subtle symptoms and there are no definitive indicators that point to lead contamination. For instance, children with lead poisoning may experience irritability, sleeplessness or excess lethargy, poor appetite, headaches, abdominal pain with or without vomiting—and generally without diarrhea—constipation, and changes in activity level. When faced with peculiar symptoms that do not match any one particular disease, lead poisoning should be considered.
