I just wrote a post over in my blog on BabyTV about the recent spate of recalls involving lead paint -- i'm curious to know what you all think about what should be done! Go check it out and tell me what you think -- i'll be publishing your comments on the site and in the newsletter!

 Since this issue seems to be isolated to painted items, I feel that NO items that are painted should be imported from China, and especially those intended for children. There are reasons why manufacturing occurs in China, and not in the US, but if the companies based in the US (or elsewhere) aren't keeping an eye on the manufacturing process, they'll choose the cheapest option. If that option means a health risk to others, that's commercial neglect, and I see no reason why lawsuits shouldn't happen. How can we trust them to make the right choice on ANY future decision, like this? I still don't understand why we don't move more manufacturing plants to the US, so we don't have to import so much. It's a simple problem, and probably no "easy answers," but I hope someone figures something out, because I'm not going to allowing my child to play with any toys made in China in the past year.

 

I tend to agree with you on this one. I don't want to appear to be one of those crazy people who won't let children play with anything -- but I can't help also be fearful that so many toys have *not* been retested. And though I'm sure the levels of lead that a child would actually ingest are fairly small -- I still don't want that anywhere near them!

 I am very curious as to why we haven't seen a huge rash of lawsuits against the companies like Mattel that sell these toys.  At any rate, whenever I hear that they lost X millions over this recall or that recall I am very, very happy.  Maybe if they lose enough of the profit they gain by exporting their labor to China they'll cut it out and bring their production back "in house."  A good lawsuit or two would help with that as well.

Corelle, I was actually working on a story about that on my plane ride today -- it's very interesting some of the things that have come out in the last few days about them -- I am actually ready to see some lawsuits happen!

It really saddens me that in this day and age this is even a problem.

My child is a chewer. He chews on everything and anything he can get his mouth on. I almost need a superhero cape to keep him from chewing things.

I dont know how childrens toys can mistakenly be made with lead paint. I think perhaps there need to be stricter restrictions, more inspections and less politics to deal with this situation. Its a very very serious situation, the side effect from lead poisoning are very serious and devastating.

Esp with so called trusted brands at mattel. I think either these companies need to shape up or ship out.

speaking of lead.. did everyone see they found high levels of lead in the most popular lipsticks?? I am pretty sure there is no recall either! How strange!

I suspect theres lead in a lot of our everyday products that arent labelled. They should by law have to label anything thats in them. Cigarettes as we all know arent good for you, at least they have warnings. Poison has labels, we know to handle carefully. But a tainted lead item, no its ok it doesnt need  a warning.

I can see 10 years down the road from now if something is not done about this...

Childrens toys with labels ''may or may not contain lead'' ''play with at own discretion''

 

I don't want to seem like one of those crazy paranoid parents but I don't want my son playing with any toys that have painted pieces on them.  Even the ones that have have not been recalled [yet], it could just be a matter of time.  Even the ones that are not in the same time frame as the recalled ones still concern me.  This is ridiculous and I don't think this is happening by mistake.