By Mary Malloy
At the beginning of August, the The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the Fisher-Price and Mattel toy manufacturers, announced a voluntary recall of millions of products due to a lead poisoning hazard. "Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed," read the official commission statement.
Included in the recall were figures and toys in specific lot numbers that were manufactured in China between April 19, 2007 and July 6, 2007 and were sold alone or as part of sets. The list includes many popular character toys from Fisher-Price and Mattel, including favorite Sesame Street characters, Dora the Explorer, Barbie(r) Doll and Tanner, Pixar Cars Sarge, Polly Pocket!(tm) and Musical Learning Chair(tm).
The hazards are in the surface paints on the toys and could contain excessive levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. The companies have stated that no incidents or injuries have been reported so far.
The Health Department recommends that parents review all the toys in their homes for lead and choking hazards. Nicole Moskowitz, of Oceanside, carefully checked her 13-month-old son Chayce's toys when she heard about the recall. "I was a neurotic woman when I found out [about the recall]," she said. "I checked all of my son's toys, looked at the manufacture dates, and still called Fisher-Pri«ce directly." Moskowitz said that they reassured her that any toys outside of the recall dates were fine. "He has a lot of Elmo toys, fire trucks, The Giggle Bench and a Fisher Price tool belt. I just wanted to be sure."
Parents should discuss the need for a blood lead test with their children's' health care provider, according to the Health Department. Theses tests are normally given at one and two years of age, according a spokesperson at East Rockaway Pediatrics, who also said that they have gotten only a few calls from worried parents. A blood test should be done for all children less than age 6 years old who have played with one of these toys, according to the Nassau County Health Department. "...especially if the child frequently chews on toys or puts toys in his or her mouth, or has frequent hand-to-mouth activity that is typical of young children."
Early Childhood Director of Hewlett/East Rockaway Jewish Centre Cheryl Karpfor said that her nursery school wanted to preempt parents' concerns. "I sent a letter home with their welcome packets, letting them know that we have gone through all of the toys according to a checklist," she said. "Their health is our priority. As teachers and parents, we need to be proactive and let them know we are aware." The school children range in age from 10 months to pre-schoolers.
Comments about this story? mmalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
