A lovely selection of toxic lead-filled jewelry has been announced for recall
by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (why not bookmark their site
today?). Why, oh why, do manufacturers insist on continuing to
make jewelry intended for children chock-full of delicious and poisonous lead?
These necklaces, thousands and thousands of them, mostly of the "mood"
variety (check here and here and here for photos), were sold variously at dollar stores, carnivals, and at
Claire's Boutiques. Refunds or replacements are available for any of these.
Even more disturbing is the "Cooky Staitonery [sic] Set" sold at northern California dollar stores that includes an oh-so-handy razor-blade cutter
with erasers, markers, and pencils. Is there a country where
children are routinely issued razor blades to write with? I
thought not. If you are one of the "lucky" 360 families to own
this, please take the razor away from your child (undoubtedly you have
already done this) and you can return the set to the store for a
refund.
I'm not done yet! Here's an item sold at Toys 'R Us nationwide, various "Elite Operations" military-style play sets containing light and sound vehicles, action figures and accessories, which also contain delicious toxic lead and
have sharp edges that could cause lacerations. A two-fer!
The sets were sold at Toys "R" Us stores nationwide and online from
January 2006 through early February 2007 for between $15 and $30.
