High lead results spurs Elmer's to review safety standards
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 | 2:09 PM ET
CBC News
Related
Internal Links
External Links
(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window)
Ohio-based Elmer's Products says it has launched a review following the release of a study that suggested the company's glue sticks exceed safe lead standards.
The company released a statement Monday after Consumer Reports magazine issued a warning to consumers about unsafe lead levels in a range of products, including the caps on seven Elmer's glue sticks featuring Dora the Explorer, Diego, and SpongeBob SquarePants characters.
Elmer's said it is consulting its Canadian supplier about the matter.
"Elmer's has initiated a rigorous review and analytical process to investigate the validity of the reported findings regarding the caps of select Elmer's glue sticks," the company said in a release.
"We've made this investigation a top priority and if we discover that Elmer's has anything to correct, you can rest assured that we will do the right thing and we will do so immediately," said Bruce MacDougall, president and CEO of Elmer's.
Consumer Reports also said testing showed unsafe levels of lead were found in toys, dishware, jewelry and backpacks that have not been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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. Lead poisoning can also cause seizures or death.
Share Tools
Top News Headlines
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- The victim of a Friday lightning strike during a storm in east Ottawa has died, CBC News has learned. more »
- Montreal protesters march in peaceful defiance
- The clanging of pots and pans sounded throughout Montreal's downtown core Saturday night and into early Sunday morning, as thousands of protesters marched on in peaceful — but loud — defiance of Bill 78. more »
- Syrian children massacred by the dozens, UN says
- More than 90 people have been killed by regime forces in a district of central Syria, with the head of the UN team in the country confirming at least 32 children and 60 adults were killed in an artillery attack. more »
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
- Two Winnipeg children reported missing and possibly in Mexico have been found alive, according to unofficial reports from an agency that works to find missing people. more »
- Teen struck by lightning in Ottawa dies
- Missing Winnipeg children found in Mexico
- Quebec tornadoes cause millions in damage
- Everest team unable to bring down Toronto woman's body
- Pope's butler arrested in Vatican leaks scandal
- Woman's remains found in hockey bag on Cape Breton river
- WWE apologizes to Brazil over Canadian's flag stomp
- Syrian children massacred by the dozens, UN says
- N.L. premier 'at odds' with Peter MacKay
