US Firms in Mass Recall of Toy Jewelry with High Lead Content
July 12, 04
Four U.S. importers have volunteered to carry out a mass recall of 150 million pieces of toy jewelry sold in vending machines since about half the items have a lead level that could harm children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
All the metal jewelry - rings, necklaces and bracelets - is being recalled since lead and lead-free pieces are difficult to tell apart, the commission said.
Commission Chairman Hal Stratton said he was urging parents to search their children's toys for the jewelry and throw it away.
The lead could leach from the jewelry if children put the items in their mouths or swallow them. Lead poisoning is associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation.
The jewelry was made in India and sold in U.S. malls, discount, department and grocery stores from January 2002 until last month, the commission said. The importers have pledged to remove the jewelry from vending machines.
No reports of injury or illness have been received for the products that are being recalled. However, the commission said it received one report of lead poisoning when a child swallowed a piece of lead-tainted jewelry that had been previously recalled.
The importers said they have stopped importing toy jewelry until they can reach an agreement with the product safety commission on a level of lead in toy jewelry that is not harmful to children.