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Toys manufactured in China and distributed by US toy makers may be harmful to children 

Toys manufactured in China may contain lead in the paint on the toy. Toys that have been made in China and then imported into the U.S. put children at risk for lead exposure.

Giant U.S. toy company Mattel Inc. has announced recalls of Chinese‑made toys containing lead paint, and also recalled millions of toys made with small, powerful magnets that pose a threat if swallowed by children. The United States Centers for Disease Control urged parents worried that their children may have ingested lead paint on toys to get the children tested for lead levels in their blood.

Lead is dangerous to children because it can harm the developing brain, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems, among other things. If you are concerned about your child's exposure to lead based toys, please have them undergo a lead screening test to determine the amount of exposure they may have suffered.

Lead may be used in two aspects of toy manufacturing.

1. Paint: Lead may be found in the paint on toys. It was banned in house paint, on products marketed to children, and in dishes or cookware in the United States in 1978; however, it is still widely used in other countries and therefore can still be found on imported toys. It may also be found on older toys made in the United States before the ban.

2. Plastic: The use of lead in plastics has not been banned. It softens the plastic and makes it more flexible so that it can go back to its original shape. It may also be used in plastic toys to stabilize molecules from heat. When the plastic is exposed to substances such as sunlight, air, and detergents the chemical bond between the lead and plastics breaks down and forms a dust.

How your child may be exposed

Lead is invisible to the naked eye and has no smell. Children may be exposed to lead poisoning through normal hand‑to‑mouth activity. Children often place toys, fingers, and other objects in their mouth, exposing themselves to lead paint or dust.

How to test a toy for lead

Only a certified laboratory can accurately test a toy for lead. Although do‑it‑yourself kits are available, they do not indicate how much lead is present and their reliability at detecting low levels of lead has not been determined.

What to do if you are concerned about your child's exposure

If you have any reason to suspect that your child has been exposed to a toy containing lead, remove the toy immediately. Most children with elevated blood lead levels have no symptoms. The only way to tell is to have a blood lead test. Your health care provider can help you decide whether such a test is needed and can also recommend treatment if your child has been exposed.

Demand Accountability

Your safety and health should not be sacrificed because someone decided they did not have to follow the rules or take adequate safety precautions. To schedule a free consultation and discuss the legal options available to you, contact the attorneys at McGowan, Hood & Felder, LLC today either by email or by toll free phone at one of the numbers above.