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There was a large block of painted toys recently recalled by Fisher Price due to the use of lead paint by the Chinese manufacturing outlet. According to Fisher Price, “The recalled products were sold in retail stores nationwide since May 1, 2007”, where some of them were covered in lead paint that could be hazardous to children. They have published a list of the affected Nickelodeon and Sesame Street painted toys so make sure you check that list and the date on your receipts if you own or bought any of those toys.
Bookmark this page and check back for updates to this and other toy recall situations. If you are worried that your toy may be one of those affected by the recall, call the hotline phone number at the top of this page. The recall is expected to cost Mattel approximately $40 million dollars (USD).
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 BARGAIN HUNTER’S TIP: The public concern surrounding this event has led to an opportunity on eBay. Prices in the form of closing bids and reserved price levels on some of Fisher Price’s toys are dropping significantly. Check eBay for deals on Fisher Price, Elmo, sesame street, Dora, Diego, Giggle Toys, Big Bird, Ernie, and other related toys. Even toys not on the recall list are being affected. Make sure the toy you buy is not on the recall list. If it is on the list make sure it was bought by the original owner before May 1st 2007. Be smart!
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Health Risks: The problem with lead is that a child’s rapidly developing brain and nerves are very vulnerable to it. The Wall Street Journal Online has a good article that goes into detail on weighing the health risks of lead which covers such issues as exposure duration and methods. According to this article and also a new article on WebMD that talks about the Fisher Price toy recall and what parents should know about it, the danger is not from lead being absorbed by the skin from touching it but by a child putting the toy in his or her mouth and chewing on it. If a child has a developmental disease like pica, where they habitually put small objects in their mouth, then the risk to such a child is higher. Both articles indicated that the immediate health risks from a lead tainted toy are probably low, but that since the effects of lead poisoning accumlate over time and can be so devastating, that any toy or other object with lead should be gotten rid of immediately.
[08-02-2007]: The Law Offices of Keller Rohrback L.L.P. has just announced that they are beginning investigations into the recall with implications of a possible class action law suit. Mattel has offered a public apology for its toys involved in the incident and there are sources saying that owners of the toys can get vouchers good for replacements of the affected toys with a toy or product of equal value.
Previous Fisher Price Toy Recalls:
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