Ugh, can it be more? But it is and I feared it since the first major recall from Mattel. This is truly worrisome, Mattel is a huge company that is self policing and finding this. What about all the other small companies that don’t, or the little trinkets that are given away here and there, or come out of a machine. Who is actively testing those?! I think we all thought this worry died off years ago, and that there were more concerns about small pieces as choking hazards. Lead paint is a scary poison, and there should be a wider net cast over children’s products for screening.
All this asks us bigger questions about whether or not getting the ultra cheap price for something is worth the risk. If the ability to regulate isn’t possible in China- then where can we, and will we pay more for it?
For more information on the toy recall, visit CNN’s page on the recall. Also visit the Children’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, who have setup a page about lead paint dangers.
Stuffed Animals!As an alternative to toys with paint on them, stuffed animals are always a good option. I’m not sure about what chemicals they use to create the synthetic fur, but isn’t that stuff (materials for clothes and stuff) heavily regulated? And do the same rules for pillows (non-flammable, etc.) apply for animal stuffing? Anyway, I found this penguin at Amazon and had to share it here! It gets rave reviews and costs only $4.99! |
