More children's toys recalled for unsafe lead levels

Last Updated: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 | 4:02 PM ET

CBC News

More children's toys manufactured in China are being recalled because they contain unsafe levels of lead, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced Wednesday.

The recall of toys includes the following products sold in Canada:

• Knights of the Sword toys, distributed by Illinois-based RC2 Corp.
• Happy Giddy Gardening Tools, imported by Minneapolis-based Target.
• Guidecraft Inc. Children's Puppet Theaters, manufactured by N.J.-based Guidecraft Inc.

The CPSC also announced a recall of about 200,000 Thomas & Friends toys in the United States, including:

• All Black Cargo Car included in the Brendam Fishing Dock Set only.
• Toad vehicle with brake lever.
• Olive Green Sodor Cargo Box included in the Deluxe Cranky the Crane.
• All Green Maple Tree Top included in the Conductor's Figure 8 Set.
• Green Signal Base included in the Conductor's Figure 8 Set.

Another 850 children's metal necklaces, manufactured by Rhode Island Novelty, are also being withdrawn in the U.S. because the clasp on the necklace contains unsafe lead levels.

High amounts of lead can harm the nervous system, kidneys and other major organs. Anemia, a decline in red blood cells, can occur, as well as damage to the nervous system that may impair mental function. At worst, lead poisoning can cause seizures or death.

New Jersey-based Guidecraft Inc. issued a recall Wednesday of its puppet theatres for unsafe lead levels.
(U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)

The recalls follow a series of recalls and product safety investigations relating to Chinese imports, including products ranging from pet food to toothpaste and children's toys.

On Aug. 1, Mattel recalled about 1.5 million preschool toys for high lead levels. The company subsequently issued a second, larger recall of more than 18 million toys on Aug. 14, saying magnets embedded in the toys as well as high lead levels posed a safety threat to young children. Mattel later ordered a third recall of about 844,000 toys with unsafe lead levels. All the toys were made in China.

Other recent recalls of made-in-China toys include Thomas the Train products and Toys "R" Us art kits, in both cases for high lead levels.

On Friday, U.S.-based toy giant Mattel issued an apology to China over the recall of Chinese-made toys, taking the blame for design flaws and saying it had recalled more lead-tainted toys than justified.