Lead Paint on Toys, Magnets that Perforate Intestines, Beads that Turn into "Date Rape Drug", and Now Asbestos: What's Next for Our Children?
As if it was not enough to learn that there is lead paint on toys, that small magnets can come loose from toys and perforate intestines, and that children's Aqua Dots beads turn into "Date Rape Drug", now asbestos has been found in a variety of consumer products, including one of this season's biggest-selling Christmas toys, the CSI Fingerprint Examination Kit. The kit, made in China, is one of several items licensed by CBS after its popular "CSI" science-crime shows. The model has an array of plastic tools, inks and three types of very fine powders -- white, black and glow-in-the-dark. High levels of two types of asbestos were found in the white and the glow powder. Asbestos was also found in two brands of children's play clay, powdered cleanser, roof sealers, duct tapes, window glazing, spackling paste and small appliances. The asbestos was found by at least two of three labs hired by the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, the nation's largest asbestos victims organizations which was created in 2004 by asbestos victims and their families. The group spent more than $165,000 to have government-certified laboratories examine hundreds of consumer products over 18 months to determine whether asbestos was present. The products tested for the organization were bought from several national retail chains, including Wal-Mart, Costco, Toys "R" Us, Home Depot, Lowe's, Macy's, CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond and others. The product that is of greatest concerns to some public health experts is the fingerprint kit, which is a huge seller, according to sales personnel interviewed by the Seattle P-I. Physicians are especially concerned because of the significant likelihood of children breathing in asbestos fibers as they hunt for fingerprints and use a soft-bristled brush to move the powder around. Congress is considering legislation regulating the level of asbestos in toys. Industry lobbyists succeeded in watering down a complete ban that Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., tried to pass, instead limiting the level to less than 1 percent. The House soon will hold hearings on legislation and is expected to attempt a complete prohibition of all asbestos-containing products. The recalls of toys due to lead paint continues: Dollar Tree Stores Inc recalled 300,000 baby bead toys and Speed Racer Pull Back & Go toy cars made in China because they contain excessive levels of lead, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said. The recalled baby toy has colored beads that slide on a wooden platform. The CPSC also issued a recall for about 1,000 pieces of Chinese-made Codeena Princess children's metal jewelry because it contains high levels of lead. If ingested, lead can cause developmental delays and behavioral disorders in children. The lawyers at Levine & Slavit have decades of experience handling personal injury claims including those involving dangerous and defective products . For 50 years spanning 3 generations, we have obtained results for satisfied clients. We have offices in Manhattan and Long Island, handling cases in New York City, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and surrounding areas. If you or someone close to you has been injured by a product that was not properly manufactured, designed or labeled, contact the personal injury lawyers at Levine & Slavit for their help. To learn more, watch our videos.
