Millions of toys recalled for lead dangers

[E-Z-B]

Source: AP

About 4 million Groovy Grabber children’s bracelets, manufactured by A&A Global Industries, have been recalled because the paint on the metallic part of the bands contains high levels of lead, which is toxic for children and can cause adverse health effects if ingested.

The flexible bracelets are made from metal bands wrapped in plastic covers that are decorated with a variety of colors and designs. The designs include smiley faces, Chinese symbols, dogs, cats, aliens, checker boards and flames. They were sold at vending machines in department, grocery and discount stores, as well as shopping malls around the country between November 2005 and March 2007.

-snip-

The key chains were sold at Dollar General stores around the country between December 2005 and January 2007.


Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17929293/

[LisaM]

1. Where were they manufactured? China?

When are people going to wake up and stop buying things made there? After the whole pet food thing, I started militantly checking labels. Thanks, Wal-Mart!

[E-Z-B]

3. Dollar General is notorius for selling cheap chinese crap.

Overseas companies can get around U.S. manufacturing regulations, making it cheaper to make products. Unfortunately, when they are sent back to the U.S., we suffer for our lack of foresight.

[woodsprite]

6. It's pretty much a storefront for all the crap you can get at Oriental Trading.

That being said, I just ran there on my lunch hour to pick up some Spiderman coloring books for my son's Easter Basket. ;) At the regular store they are $4 to $6 each.

We also use that store to get our glow necklaces and bracelets for 4th of July. You have to buy more than you need because once in awhile one won't work, but at $1 for 2 necklaces and 2 bracelets, it sure beats $4 for each necklace at the July 4th celebration when you have 7 kids to buy for.

[depakid]

8. Of course

Yet another of the wondrous things that we can thank our so called "free" trade advocates on the far right- and in the Democratic party for.

It's not like they weren't warned. Repeatedly. About things like this.

From the press release:

Hazard: The key chains contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if
ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Sold at: Dollar General stores nationwide from December 2005 through
January 2007 for $1.25.

Manufactured in: China

[MADem]

2. Vending machine crap is their specialty, apparently

http://www.aaglobalind.com/

[iconoclastic cat]

4. Maybe I'll feed them to my cat and be done with it. nt

[Lerkfish]

5. the story doesn't say, but lemme guess: made in China?

[lagavulin]

7. Lead is no joke, and is still widely used...

...and is probably the single greatest threat to children today. It's implicated in behavioral disorders from ADHD to autism.

But on the bright side, here's a fun http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/research/project/enviro/hazard/lead/lead-advertising/single.htm">pictorial representation by Cincinnati Children's Hospital revealing how American industries worked for decade after decade to ignore and downplay these issues.

Oh, and lest you think this is all behind us, the "use of lead in manufacturing increased 77% in Massachusetts alone between 1990-1997" (Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, report "In Harm's Way: Toxic Threats to Child Development").