Canada recalls lead-filled Chinese pencils

[OhioChick]

Canada recalls lead-filled Chinese pencils
1 day ago

MONTREAL (AFP) — Canada has recalled tens of thousands of children's pencils made in China over fears they contained dangerous levels of lead in their coating, the health ministry said in a statement Saturday.

The ministry agreed, along with the Canadian subsidiary of the US firm which distributes them, on "a voluntary recall of Favor Set brand pencils due to a high lead level in the coating of the pencils," it said.

"As a precautionary measure, Amscan is recalling all 16 models of Favor Set brand pencils sold in various stores across Canada since January 2007," approximately 140,000 units, it said. The pencils were made in China.

"Pencils that have already been purchased should immediately be taken away from children," the ministry warned.

No incidents linked to the hazardous products have been reported. But the announcement was the latest of a series of recalls and consumer scares involving Chinese-made products in North America.


http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gytgLzLVdOFHgC_Kk7iinjeE8ZTw

[liberal N proud]

1. They ordered "lead pencils" didn't they?

China just took them literally.

[Justyce]

2. What in the hell is happening with all this

tainted stuff from China?! Are there more tainted products than before, or is it just because we're getting a much higher volume lately?

[MadMaddie]

3. China over the last 6 years has had so many companies from

the US, Canada and other countries have taken their manufactureing there for cheap labor, no employee safety laws and no product safety laws that the output of these dangerous products have quadrupled. China's industrial age if that of America in the early 1900's sweatshops and dangerous work conditions.

This is outsourcing at it's best isn't it. CEO's and stockholders get richer.....and Americans health is deteriorating because of shitty products....

This is the Reagan era de-regulation coming back to bite America in the ass.

[Justyce]

5. A lot of our medical records are outsourced to

India to be transcribed too. This is really scary because sometimes your social security number is given... not to mention all the other info. And they don't have to comply with HIPAA....

[MadMaddie]

6. And I think about what if individuals in these companies have

malicious intent? They are reading XRays, (they could purposely lie), like you mentioned they have our personal information....could you imagine trying to clean up your credit if your information is overseas? This is setting Americans up for some nasty results.....

[POAS]

4. Get the lead out - - - Vote Democratic

[MadMaddie]

7. This is a great slogan...

You know maybe we should have a forum for 2008 Election Slogans, posters, etc.

Where anyone in any state can get a slogan get it printed and get it out.

[OhioChick]

8. That's the Best Slogan

I've heard in a long time.
:thumbsup:

[CHIMO]

9. Someone Should Look

At candles. Thinking about tea candles specifically.

Advisory
2001-02
January 8, 2001

Health Canada advises Canadians about potential lead exposure from inexpensive jewellery and candles with lead core wicks

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising Canadians about a potential danger of exposure to lead that may be in inexpensive jewellery typically purchased for children, and candles that have lead core wicks.

Lead is hazardous to human health. Even small amounts of absorbed lead can be harmful, especially to young children, infants and unborn babies. Children can absorb lead by sucking or chewing on inexpensive jewellery containing lead. Lead can be absorbed by inhalation during the burning of candles with lead core wicks. Consequently, Health Canada is advising Canadians to remove inexpensive jewellery containing lead from children who are likely to suck or chew on them, and to stop using candles that have lead core wicks. The Department is also urging the Canadian candle industry to stop manufacturing and importing candles with lead core wicks as safer alternatives such as zinc and tin cores and plain cotton wicks without metallic cores do exist.

Before buying candles and to allow you to make an informed purchasing decision, you should ask the retailer if they contain a lead core wick. For candles already in your possession, you can tell if they have a lead core wick by following three easy steps:

Remove any wax from the tip of the wick.
Separate the fibre strands from the wick to see if the candle has a metallic core.
If the candle has a metallic core, rub the core on a piece of white paper. If the mark left on the white paper is grey in colour, then the metallic core is probably lead.
If you discover that your candle has a lead core wick, you should discard the candle using normal household garbage disposal procedures.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/advisories-avis/2001/2001_02_e.html

The caution is six years old, but there doesn't seem to be much investigative effort on checking for compliance.