Toy Recalls for Lead Paint
October 26, 2007
I keep having a gut reaction that there is bit of over reaction to the violations of the lead paint standards leading to the toy recalls. So to either confirm or contradict this reaction I decided to do a bit of research.
Upon reading the EPAs fact sheet on lead and children’s health, I notice there is a marked absence of any mention of toys as a leading cause of lead poisoning among children. Rather, the primary environmental means of lead poisoning in children mentioned are paint dust from deteriorating paint in homes and schools older than 1978, paint dust during remodeling of houses and schools of the same age, contaminated soil, and drinking water distributed to houses via lead pipes. Even under the rare causes, toys are not mentioned.
I found another EPA booklet addressing lead in the home. This booklet does mention toys, but only if put in the mouth. The booklet specifically says that lead is not absorbed through the skin. So is it safe to conclude that an older child that no longer puts toys and fingers in their mouth and practices standard hand washing hygiene should experience no danger from toys painted with lead paint? Or am I missing something?
Entry Filed under: Parenting, toys. Tags: EPA, lead, lead paint, lead poisoning, Parenting, remodeling, toy recall, toys.





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