Jun 25 2007
Recall of Thomas Train Toy
Two weeks ago I received a recall notice from CPSC on Thomas & Friends wooden railway toys due to lead poisoning hazard.
All these while, I have been receiving CPSC recall notices, mostly for the same reason - lead contamination, and most of the products are manufactured in China.
I was ignorant earlier, when it comes to lead poisoning, didn’t really understand the impact, until a friend just explained to me this morning (she is my best friend, works in Ikea).
From what she explained, I then understand about ‘migration’, i.e. lead can be absorbed to our body via sweat, salivar, etc, thought our surface (skin).
So, my earlier assumption that - as long as I watch out don’t let my children swallow their toys should be okay - is completely wrong. Once lead enters our body, it can never be removed - it stays and accumulates in our body, until a dangerous level, which can be fatal.
I now recalled my children’s first wooden toy was a set of blocks, made in Germany, very expensive - but according to the store it is lead free. My children’s second set of wooden blocks was a gift from my boss, on Ian’s first birthday - I think that one probably contains lead.
I didn’t buy any other wooden toys, until my last China trip, when I bought two sets of nice puzzle wooden toys. Within the first day, Ian cracked them, smashed one - I fixed them but never let them played again. I think I should confiscate and keep them away from my kids now.
Well, actually lead contamination is not only found in paint. In the past CPSC recalls, a lot of them are found in children’s necklaces, accessories, and even on clothes’ buttons!
From the public’s comments, I learnt that there are paint lead testing kits, not sure where I can get it for our home usage?
This recall of Thomas toy makes public very angry. They are angry, not only with the way the company RC2 handle the recalls and being lack of responsibilities shown in testing+marketing their products, they are also angry with China made goods.
Seriously, China has outperformed every other countries in terms of manufacturing costs. Whenever you see a good - from FMCG to electrical durables, to toys, to food, to fashion, anything you can name it, mostly made in China. Sometimes I’d rather not buy any souvenir, when I found out those souvenir in those country I visit is made in China - Imagine, visiting Perth/Australia, buying a souvenir made in China for your friends?
The recent recall of toothpast (in Australia) is also another proof that China manufacturers lacking ethics. In fact, my colleagues in China are also worried about things that they consume everyday!
Not sure whether we should be paranoid here, should we do any blood test to our kids (or even ourselves), whether we are already lead poisoned?
I am really interested to get the paint lead testing kit. Anyone know where I can get it in Malaysia?
To read more about the recall, and the picture of the products, please follow the following links:
CPSC Recall Site
RC2 Recall Site
RC2 Marketing Site Notice
HIT’s Statement (HIT is the company that holds the rights to Thomas and a number of popular characters including Barney and Bob the Builder)
ABC news in June story
NY Times article
NY Times Commentary 1
NY Times Commentary 2
Newspaper Announcement (with comments back from parents of autistic children)
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how do we get subscribed to these sites where they will publish recall items?
i am extremely concern here as i never really see if there is a declaration of lead free toys.
and i just bought an expensive set of wooden blocks for my kid …..thought if expensive sure ok, but Thomas and friends also affected … not sure if price matters now.
You can subscribe to CPSC here: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp
And I heard there is another one for European standard, which I was told is more stringent. I will find out and write about it later.
[...] You can subscribe to the recall notices from CPSC here, or visit the site for the previous recalls, including the one in my previous post about Thomas Train. [...]
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