Mattel...settles toy lead poisoning lawsuit! Compensation for tainted items from China...

Last fall, just prior to commencement of the holiday season, I penned a post warning parents about potential hazards such as lead poisoning in toys crafted and imported from China.



A week or so ago, I obliged with a follow up feature on the issues, and provided links for web sites where parents could check for recalled toys and verify that other toys for tots were safe.



Post: 12/10/08



http://ijulian.blogspot.com/2008/12/toysat-x-mas-consumer-advociates-warn.html



On the heels of this post, Mattel announced it will pay $12 million to compensate 39 States for damages arising from tainted toys made in China and shipped to the U.S.



Last year, the Segundo-based manufacturer (along with the Fisher Price Division) recalled more than 21 million Chinese-made toys after fearing the items were tainted with lead paint and tiny magnets that children could accidentally swallow.



In order to shore up the agreement with Government Officials, Mattel agreed to lower the acceptable levels of lead in toys shipped to the U.S. to - 90 parts per million - which amounts to a hefty change from yesteryear's 600 parts per million (Federal Standard).



A Mattel spokesman noted that he was proud of the company for demonstrating its commitment to children's safety by pledging to meet standards more stringent than those currently required.



However, it should be noted for the record, the Federal Standard will follow the guidelines recently adopted by Mattel when new rules and regulations go into effect next year.



Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley applauded Mattel's lead which she asserted "will result in much safer standards" in the toy industry.



California negotiated a deal under the State's "Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act" (under a separate agreement) wherein nine toy companies - including Mattel - will pay the state $1.8 million over lead-painted toys.



In spite of the fact Mattel's stock dipped 7 cents a share when the announcement was initially made public, an industry analyst pooh-poohed the notion that is was a bad sign from stockholders.



Anything that would put to rest the question of toy safety is a net positive, he concluded.



Amen!

Toys...at X-Mas consumer advocates warn about unsafe products!

The signs of Christmas are all around.



Retail stores have been invitingly decorated to lure consumers in - and once that task has been accomplished - managers are relying on the joyful strains of Christmas Carols overhead to seduce the whimsical shopper into a festive holiday mood.



Now, the consumer is all primed and ready to go!



Yes - buy, buy, buy - shop 'til you drop!



But, before you plunk down the big bucks for those attractive toys for the little ones, it may be wise to pay heed to warnings from consumer advocates about the dangers that may lurk around a handful of those precious purchases.



First and foremost, it's important to be mindful of the contents of the products.



For good reason.



After all, if lead is ingested or inhaled, it can cause neurological problems and interfere with brain development.



Although lead is banned in toy paint in the U.S., the deadly product often worms its way into the marketplace by way of popular imports.



One product, Aqua Dots, was pulled from the shelves last year when it was determined that it was coated with a toxic chemical that metabolizes into gamma hydroxy butyrate - or GHB - the date-rape drug.



Scary thought!



Parents of toddlers teething should be mindful of the fact that lead is still permitted for use in plastics; so, it would be wise to spring for playthings made of wood and cotton terry cloth, instead.



Bottom line, if your child has a favorite toy they tend to chew on, check to ensure the Consumer Product Safety Commission has not recalled it at:



http://www.cpsc.gov



But, you're not off the hook with soft vinyl toys, either; they may contain phthalates which may be wise to avoid as well. Although they are banned overseas, the jury is still out on their potential dangers stateside.



Be safe, rather than sorry, and buy items with "PCV Free" marked on the label because the toys are generally constructed of safe latex or silicon products.



Some note that avoiding popular toys made in large quantities is a good idea, as well.



Experts assert that items made in large batches - such as a myriad of fast-selling toys falling under the once-popular RC2 Corp banner - often slip through inspection easier and may escape the close scrutiny of consumer watchdogs.



Although the big guys in the industry say they've stepped up their inspections to ensure toys are safe, it is suggested that parents shop with the smaller more reputable dealers who may have more stringent individual standards to effectively weed out problem toys.



Savvy shoppers may check the following websites if they are concerned about safety issues:



http://www.discoverytoys.com

http://www.oompa.com

http://www.ebeanstalk.com

http://www.playstoretoys.com

http://www.nmctoys.com



Environmental safety groups currently rank 1500 top toys at:



http://www.healthytoys.org



Cruise on by their site and give yourself some peace of mind before you start shopping for the wee tots this Christmas.



Happy Holidays!