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Posted by: Allan Chochinov
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Comments (4)
A sobering article in today's Times titled "As More Toys Are Recalled, Trail Ends in China." Here's the start:
China manufactured every one of the 24 kinds of toys recalled for safety reasons in the United States so far this year, including the enormously popular Thomas & Friends wooden train sets, a record that is causing alarm among consumer advocates, parents and regulators.The latest recall, announced last week, involves 1.5 million Thomas & Friends trains and rail components--about 4 percent of all those sold in the United States over the last two years by RC2 Corporation of Oak Brook, Ill. The toys were coated at a factory in China with lead paint, which can damage brain cells, especially in children.
Just in the last month, a ghoulish fake eyeball toy made in China was recalled after it was found to be filled with kerosene. Sets of toy drums and a toy bear were also recalled because of lead paint, and an infant wrist rattle was recalled because of a choking hazard.
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Comments
I don't know why everyone is so shocked, after all, almost everything is made in China now. When consumers, retailers, and manufacturers place price as the most important feature of what we buy, we get corners cut as a result. I am actually surprised that we don't see more problems like this.
The thing that everyone is in shock over is that knowing how lead is not good and then to use it in paint and materials. When you go to a rent or buy a house they have you sign forms that make you aware of the possibilities that it could be there. But we took it for granted that the makers of the toys had common sense not to put lead in things that would harm a child. What a person to cut the cost and then to harm a innocent child.
It seems like there is a new product recall every few days. I am especially concerned about all the recalls on children's toys and household products. I now have a personal file that alerts me to product recalls. I also receive timely notices when one of my products has is an update. You can acesss the recalls and update notices at the product blog page.
Don't avoid buying toys, just have them screened for Lead before you open them. www.InspectAToy.com does just that, it's an in-home (schools & Retail stores too) Lead screening service that serves all of California and is expanding rapidly across the U.S. We are licensing the company nationwide right now because parents are tired of waiting for recalls on toys their kids are playing with NOW.