Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
The Us Consumer Product Safety Commission announced today that it is recalling over 300,000 Chinese-made toys and jewelry for children. The CPSC cited excessive levels of lead as the reason for the recalls.
Approximately 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants journals and address books (that may have excessive levels of lead paint on their spiral/metal bindings) are part of the recall. The books were sold in the U.S. between June 2006 and July 2007.
Curious George and Thomas and Friends pails and spinning tops are also part of the recall due to concerns that their wood handles might have too much lead. About 4,700 pails and 66,000 spinning tops sold in the U.S. between July 2001 and July 2002 are included in the recall.
Approximately 7,900 Divine Inspiration charm bracelets for children (sold between August 2006 and May 2007) and almost 14,000 Toby & Me Jewelry sets are also being recalled because of concerns of excessive lead.
Lead is considered a very toxic metal especially for children, ages 6 and under. Lead poisoning, brain damage, learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties, seizures, and wrongful death can result from exposure to excessive levels of lead.
If you or someone you love becomes ill because of too much lead in a particular product, whether a toy, paint on the walls of a home, lead in soil or lead in drinking water, you may have grounds to file a products liability claim or a personal injury lawsuit against the party or parties responsible for the excessive levels of lead. A person whose loved one has died because of exposure to lead may also have grounds for filing a wrongful death lawsuit.
The Environmental Protection Agency offers valuable information about lead exposure and its health effects on children, including:
Lead is even more dangerous to children than adults because:
• Babies and young children often put their hands and other objects in their mouths. These objects can have lead dust on them.
• Children’s growing bodies absorb more lead.
• Children’s brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead.
If not detected early, children with high levels of lead in their bodies can suffer from:
• Damage to the brain and nervous system
• Behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity)
• Slowed growth • Hearing problems • Headaches
Lead Causes More US Recalls of China-Made Toys, Boston.com, August 22, 2007
Health Effects of Lead, Environmental Protection Agency
Related Web Resources:
Lead paint, magnets are latest concerns, Boston.com, August 15, 2007
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
The personal injury law firm of Altman & Altman LLP represents clients throughout Massachusetts in products liability, wrongful death, personal injury, and other kinds of accident cases. We also are experienced in successfully handling cases involving injuries to minors. We can investigate your injury accident, and we will fight for your rights to compensation from the negligent party or parties. Contact Altman & Altman LLP and ask for your free case evaluation.
