The *first* toy recall just crushed friends of ours son

[underpants]

My wife and I heard about this second toy recall and we just shook our heads. We wonder how many more kids will have something like this happen.

Before I go on what exactly is "excessive levels of lead in paint" isn't ANY amount of lead too much? They took all the lead out of faucets in 1998 but not in kids toys??

Okay so our friends son is completely into "Thomas the Train" they have all the toys and they HAVE to make sure breakfast is over and he is ready to watch it on Saturday mornings. He just loves Thomas much like our girl just loves Curious George.

Well the first recall came with some devistating news. You know the traintracks-the interlocking wooden pieces that fit together like puzzle pieces? Well as plain as they look apparently they were in fact painted. The entire track system had to be done away with. Gone. Done. Over.

The boy was completely crushed.

[Donnachaidh]

1. What scares the crap out of me is the potential for sick kids to be out there already

From all these toys. I'm a survivor of lead poisoning, and parent's need to watch their kids, especially if they've had these toys in their homes. :scared:

[mikeytherat]

2. Open letter to Mattel:

So, how's that outsourcing going, fellas? Still reaping those savings? No? Well, I guess huge, multiple recalls, a big hit to your name and brand equity, the reality of children gnawing on lead-laced toys (sniff...sniff..are those lawsuits I smell?), and the enduring image of childrens' cherished toys taken away and destroyed contributes negatively to the old bottom line.

Penny wise, pound foolish.

mikey_the_rat

[underpants]

3. Our friends decided to try to go "China free" on buying toys

I told them "good luck"

Yeah if it isn't killing 9,000 family pets by trying to increase the margin on each 10lbs. bag by a buck or two it is lead paint on kids toys.

NAFTA and free market trade discussions aside-Why is there still lead in paint and WHY ON EARTH was that, at least, not precluded in our legislation?? Do I really need to read every single stinking bill in the House and Senate? Isn't there anyone competent up there?

[mikeytherat]

4. "Isn't there anyone competent up there?" - Actually, that's not rhetorical.

"No." The answer is "No."

mikey_the_rat

[wicket]

5. Amen

Why is there still lead in paint and WHY ON EARTH was that, at least, not precluded in our legislation??

That's what I want to know too.

[underpants]

8. As my wife asked,"What does 'excessive levels of lead' mean?!"

Are there acceptable levels of lead? is that actually stated in laws or guidelines?

Maybe that was just bad wording by CNN :shrug:

[Donnachaidh]

7. I agree with you, but there is a point here not mentioned

HOW can we regulate and prohibit paint in OTHER countries?

This outsourcing of products is turning into a nightmare for consumers. The biggest reason to rip NAFTA out by the roots is because this is threatening the health and welfare of consumers here, while lining the corporations pockets.

IF they want to sell this crap here -- MAKE IT here, damn it! :grr:

[Katherine Brengle]

12. I'm going to guess that lead paint is legal in some places?

It wasn't all that long ago that it was normal here, so considering developing and recently industrialized countries to be further back on the continuum, I'm sure there are places where this stuff is the norm.

[npincus]

6. so sorry- get them "Thomas" Dvds and/or videos

My 4 year old LOVES "My Little Pony"- she has 25 (so far) and all sorts of accessories, etc. ... God f*cking forbid THEY get recalled!

So sorry!

[mwb970]

9. Maybe we should make our own toys.

Maybe American workers could make toys for American kids that measure up to American standards. Or is that one of those far-leftist troop-hating moonbat ideas?

[Katherine Brengle]

11. I agree -- I've started making toys for my daughter.

I know it's a tiny baby step and doesn't help anyone else, but I've started making dolls and plush toys and things like that for my daughter. I'm also planning a few books to be made in the next couple of months.

I'm tired of living in a world where my decisions are *supposed* to be limited to what is made commercially available for my consumption.

[Virginia Dare]

17. Apparently, Americans don't want to make toys..

we'd rather make bombs instead...:sarcasm:

[Katherine Brengle]

10. Poor thing :(

I'm getting ready to clear out ALL the old toys in our house. I'm sick of this crap, and have recently chosen to simplify in general and decrease our consumerism.

Lead paint is the extreme end of the continuum - but it includes all manner of useless and harmful crap being marketed to our kids.

I'm ashamed of the industrialized world these days.

[gollygee]

13. Our Barbie pooping dog set was recalled

my daughter is a bit saddened. "Don't let them take the pooper scooper, Mommy!"

[marions ghost]

14. children don't need all this junk anyway

I've worked in a toy store. It's a parental obsession (the need to have it all) not so much a kid's IMO.

[gollygee]

15. OK Mr. Grinch

I'll agree that kids don't need a ton of toys, but kids do need toys.

And how is that related to this company making unsafe items for children?

[marions ghost]

20. gollygee...

thanks for the mean reply, in the spirit of the grinch. :(

Parents can stress quality, not quantity.

They can avoid toys that are linked to marketing campaigns that have you buying every last piece of the (whatever) theme toy and accessories. Boycott companies that flood the market with unsafe toys. Do you think that Fisher-Price should be supported? Shouldn't they suffer market loss and be held responsible? Or should we just blame it all on China.

We need to teach kids that toys should not be about having more than your friend has, or about social bonding...which is how these mass-produced toys are sold. Everybody has to have one (or several) to join the tribe.

Of course kids need toys Duh. Isn't it OK to discuss how consumerism plays into the problems with mass production and over-production?

Where I'm coming from is that consumers need to be far more demanding and exercise some boycott power--in toys and everything else.

People who act like pigs at the end of the pipeline may get what they deserve.

[gollygee]

22. The "Mr. Grinch" thing was supposed to be playful, not mean

sorry - it's hard to express tone online.

Yes, people should buy less crap. But kids do need toys and it isn't their fault that their toys were made poorly, and they're the ones suffering when their parents have to take the toys away.

[Katherine Brengle]

24. I actually agree with this.

It's also the effects of advertising on kids, making them want things they don't really care about.

Kids who are not exposed to a lot of these bullshit toys and the kind of tv that advertises them are happy with some nice, classic toys, books, and your attention.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

16. It's only lead paint ...

If the toy is that important, strip the paint or have it stripped professionally. Then make a fun project to repaint it in safe paint.

Maybe the kid can even pick the new colors for it.

[NoodleyAppendage]

18. Tin Hat time. Maybe planned by China to stupify a generation?

Lead is known to cause intellectual development issues. A stupid (if not already) America would be less of a competitor to China (if it isn't already).

Frankly, I'm going out back and whittling a stick for my kid to play with. She likes the small and insignificant toys better anyway. Flashy, painted toys are a fad for her, I've found.

J

[guitar man]

26. why would they bother to do that?

I figured 8 years of *Bu$h would be proof in itself that we are already stupified over here :shrug:

[Shine]

19. I remember the "Thomas the Train" stage, LOL!

I think every parent of a boy goes through that stage. :D It's all about the Transportation and Noise-making potential!

(and yes, for all you PC DU'ers, GIRLS can go through that stage too....except mine didn't. )

I'm sorry about your friends' kid being so upset. :( I wonder if he's checked out the Brio train sets, they're wooden and have cool-o magnets which connect the pieces of the train. Nicely made. Quality stuff.

:hi:

[Breeze54]

21. I'd like to know for how many years has this been going on??

3? 5? 10? :grr:

Could this explain why my son, at age 5, was tested and found to
have an elevated lead level, "but within the high normal range"?
Could that explain him being diagnosed with learning disabilities? His ADD?

[Breeze54]

28. I found the answer and I was right!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1584334&mesg_id=1584334

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, ingesting even small amounts of lead can be highly
damaging to young children and can lead to vomiting, anemia, lifelong learning difficulties and death.

[Tsiyu]

23. I hope the parents are getting their money back for the toys

it may be a pain to try to recoup the $$ lost but these toy companies should feel the financial hit of their stupid decisions.

Here are some sites for safe toys:

(From DUer ayeshahaqqiqa) :http://www.spencerwoodentoys.com/

Trains US made: http://www.turnertoys.com/T1/trains/wooden_toy_trains.htm

http://www.madeinusa.org/nav.cgi?data/toys&

http://www.channelcraft.com/toys.htm

The good news is that American toymakers should see an increase in their income. The bad news is that little kids are learning just how badly grownups can screw up life....

[Katherine Brengle]

25. I doubt it. The first recall just said "throw them away."

There's no way in hell they're going to give everyone their money back.

They SHOULD, but I don't see it happening.

[MH1]

27. Some good info about lead was presented at the Pittsburgh WH&E conference

Go here for podcasts and the accompanying powerpoints:

http://www.womenshealthpittsburgh.org/podcasts.html

Get Herbert Needleman's slides here - he did the presentation on lead - it was EXCELLENT and very informative:

http://www.womenshealthpittsburgh.org/ppt/Herb%20Needleman.ppt

To watch his presentation, you need to download or run the podcast for "The New Science Panel", midway down the left side.

Unfortunately I don't remember the details, but if you are interested in lead, what's allowed and what are the consequences, you will find this presentation interesting.