Dangerous Toys - Is Lead Still a Problem?

Dangerous Toys – Is Lead Still a Problem?

Alameda County, CA – Five years ago the problem of too much lead in toys hit national headlines when millions of toys were recalled. As a result, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 was enacted which made lead standards in toys more stringent, increased surveillance of imported toys and holds toy manufacturers more accountable. A recently issued Consumer Product Safety Commission press release described their successes in intercepting unsafe toys this past year.

The good news is that there are less toys with dangerous amounts of lead on the market today. But some do still slip through, and the old lead contaminated toys are still out there in our homes, flea markets and second hand stores. Plus, we now know that even extremely small exposures to lead can damage the brain and impair a child’s ability to learn and grow. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has declared that no lead exposure is safe. Since many children don’t exhibit symptoms of lead poisoning until it is too late, it’s important that children under 6 years old get a blood lead test from their doctor.

The number one source of lead poisoning continues to be lead-based paint that coats the inside and outside of pre-1978 homes under the surface layer. When the paint deteriorates, or is disturbed during home repair and painting projects, toxic levels of lead dust can expose families, workers and neighbors to lead. Lead is very much still with us.

There are steps we can take to prevent lead exposures. Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides a public information line at 510-567-8280 to assist parents and property owners in providing safe environments for children. Owners of pre-1978 residential property in Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland and Emeryville are eligible for a free in-home consultation to identify and reduce potential sources of lead in the home. People can sign up on-line , visit www.aclppp.org or call the public information line for more information.

Here are some tips for buying safer toys and staying safe this holiday season: 

• Avoid older painted or metal toys, children’s jewelry, and toys made of PVC plastic to prevent exposure to lead and phthalates. Look for wood and cloth toys and give fun outings instead.
• Buy age appropriate toys and keep toys for older children away from younger siblings
• Avoid small toys, balloons, small balls and toys with small parts especially if you have a child under 3 in the home
• Keep small magnets and button batteries away from children – these can cause serious injury if swallowed
• Pay attention to cords, mobiles, and drawstrings that could be a strangulation hazard
• If giving scooters or other riding toys, also provide a properly sized helmet, safety gear and safety instructions
• Check toy recalls and subscribe to recall alerts at

More Resources:

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) offers more toy safety tips and a mobile application at http://www.uspirg.org/resources/xxp/tips-toy-safety and it’s recently released 2012 Trouble in Toyland Report .

California Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Public Information Line: 510-567-8280

www.aclppp.org