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Secondhand Toys Pose Lead Risk

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The Associated Press

Published: November 13, 2008

WASHINGTON - Federal safety officials worry that the economic downturn will drive discount-seeking parents to buy used toys tainted by lead or with dangerous designs.

Government safety officials are particularly concerned that money-conscious parents will purchase holiday gifts from secondhand, online sellers, who may not be aware of safety issues.

"In stretching today's dollar, we do not want you to sacrifice safety," acting Consumer Product Safety Commission chairwoman Nancy Nord said Wednesday.

She urged parents to research any products they buy secondhand for prior recalls.

At Wednesday's press conference, Nord stressed the agency's increased vigilance in targeting unsafe toys.

"The real good news this season, is the fact that the agency is inspecting more, but we are finding fewer violations," Nord said. "And we're seeing that across the board, but certainly with respect to lead paint."

She noted that a new port-inspections program resulted in 238 seized shipments of toys, which were denied entry for safety violations.

However, this import surveillance program is conducted by just nine people.

Recalls of toys or children's products because of lead paint or lead content are down sharply, from a record 112 in 2007 to 64 this year. There were 20 lead recalls in 2006 and only 13 in 2005.

Lead poisoning can cause irreversible learning disabilities, behavioral problems and, at very high levels, seizures, coma and death.

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