Toy robots sold at dollar stores nationwide are being recalled by OKK Trading Inc. of Commerce, Calif. because surface paint on the toys violates federal lead standards. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), about 2000 of the lead tainted robots are involved in this recall.
Many consider lead poisoning to be one of the most important chronic environmental illnesses affecting children today. Exposure to lead in children and unborn children 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. Despite efforts to control lead and the success in decreasing lead poisoning, serious cases still occur. Once poisoned, no organ system is immune. Of particular concern is the developing brain because negative influences can have long-lasting effects and can continue well into puberty and beyond.
In the past year, dozens of toys have been recalled for violations of federal lead paint standards. Most of the 61 million toys recalled for lead violations were made in China, where manufacturers may purposely ignore US lead standards as a way to reduce costs. Congress is considering new federal lead limits and other toy-safety standards but sponsors of bills in 29 state legislatures do not want to wait; Illinois and Michigan enacted new lead laws and a phthalates ban is due to take effect in California next year. The Toy Industry Association is fighting these efforts, however, and has hired lobbyists to battle legislative proposals in 10 states, including Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
This latest lead recall involves robot toys were sold as a four piece set with various colored robots each carrying a gun in one hand and a shield in the other. “Interchange Robot” is printed on the outside packaging of the product. The robot toys were sold at various dollar stores nationwide from October 2007 through December 2007 for about $1.
The CPSC says consumers should immediately take these robot toys away from children and return the toys to the store where purchased for a refund. For additional information, consumers can contact OKK Trading toll-free at (877) 655-8697/OKK-TOYS between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.okktrading.com
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