Norfolk (UK) - Confiscated Toy Cars Have 40X Legal Lead Limit, 5X Chromium

[hatrack]

Toy cars made in China containing dangerous levels of lead and chromium have been seized in Norfolk.

Tests were carried out on the toys, known as “Friction Power Toy Cars”, following a spot check by Norfolk County Council trading standards officers.

Results showed the toys' paint contained up to 40 times the legal limit of lead and five times the legal limit of chromium.

David Collinson, head of trading standards, said: “Toy manufacturers in the UK and US have been recalling millions of toys due to lead and chromium concerns since 2004. We believe these toys are older items, still in circulation in the market place.

EDIT

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED14%20Mar%202008%2019%3A51%3A26%3A170

[acmavm]

1. See, it's not just Americans that the Chinese don't mind poisoning. They

will poison anyone, especially their own.

[Teaser]

2. Man, I'm buying all wooden toys from now on

I'm sick of this shit.

[diane in sf]

3. Make sure the wooden toys aren't painted.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. For those who don't know -- "chromium" in paint isn't same as chrome trim ...

chrome trim is metallic chromium electroplated on top of other metals. "Chromium" in paints actually refers to compounds of chromium, like lead chromate, PbCrO₄, which has an intense yellow to orange color. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_chromate

Lead (II) chromate is a poison, and can be fatal if swallowed or inhaled.

Lead (II) chromate is a known carcinogen, developmental toxicant, and reproductive toxicant. It is also suspected that lead (II) chromate is a cardivascular or blood toxicant, immunotoxicant, kidney toxicant, neurotoxicant, respiratory toxicant, and a skin toxicant or sense organ toxicant.

If swallowed

If swallowed, lead (II) chromate poisoning can lead to abdominal pain and spasms, nausea, vomiting, and headaches. If the poisoning is not severe, you may experience lead line on the gums, a metallic taste, muscle weakness, and dizziness. The symptoms appear to get worse as the poisoning becomes more severe. Severe poisoning can lead to a coma and even death.

If inhaled

If inhaled, and the poisoning is not severe, you may experience symptoms such as a sore throat, coughing, shortness of breath, and labored breathing. Severe poisoning may lead to pulmonary edema, as well as several symptoms experienced from indigestion