Nine U.S. companies that make, import or sell children's products agreed to pay more than $500,000 US in penalties for violating a federal lead paint ban, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said Tuesday.

The products, which were recalled in 2007 and 2008, included toys, children's metal jewelry, metal water bottles, pens, pencil pouches, sunglasses, and Halloween pails and baskets.

Tests showed that paint or surface coatings contained lead in excess of 600 ppm, or 0.06 per cent by weight. One company's products contained surface coatings with nearly 60 per cent lead, said the CPSC.

A 1978 federal ban prohibits toys and other children's articles from having more than 0.06 per cent lead in paints or surface coatings. Lead can be toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health consequences.

CPSC has ordered the following firms to pay civil penalties to the federal government:

  • Cardinal Distributing Co. Inc., of Baltimore, Md.: $100,000
  • Dollar General Corp., of Goodlettsville, Tenn.: $100,000
  • Family Dollar Stores Inc., of Matthews, N.C.: $75,000
  • Hobby Lobby Stores Inc., of Oklahoma City, Okla.: $50,000
  • First Learning Company Ltd., of Hong Kong: $50,000
  • Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas, $45,000
  • A&A Global Industries Inc., of Cockeysville, Md.: $40,000
  • Raymond Geddes & Co, of Baltimore, Md.: $40,000
  • Downeast Concepts Inc., of Yarmouth, Maine: $30,000