Effects of Lead in Children

• The recalls occurred to prevent lead poisoning in kids who chew on or accidentally swallow toys. The lead in the paint can cause problems ranging from subtle to severe. In subtle forms, lead poisoning affects the ability to pay attention and causes behavioral problems, lowered IQs and learning difficulties. Severe lead poisoning causes kidney and bone marrow damage, stomachaches, headaches, seizures, anemia, muscle weakness, vomiting, confusion and hair loss.
  
  

Fisher-Price Recall

• The Fisher-Price recall of August 2007 made headlines because it affected almost one million units of Sesame Street, Dora the Explorer and other popular toys. The recall was voluntary. China was the manufacturing source for these items, and the company was concerned about the lax safety and quality standards in these factories. Fisher-Price decided there was danger of excessive lead paint on their toys built in those plants.
  
  

RC2 Corporation Recall

• The RC2 Corp. recalled about 1.7 million Thomas and Friends railway toys in the summer of 2007. The surface paint on the company's all-black cargo car, "Toad" vehicle, "Sodor" cargo box and maple tree top and accessories contained excessive amounts of lead.
  
  

TOBY N.Y.C. Recall

• TOBY N.Y.C. recalled about 38,000 of its TOBY & ME Jewelry Sets in the summer of 2007. These jewelry sets included a pink-and-clear crystal bead necklace and bracelet set with a painted pendant, a pink-and-white pearl necklace and bracelet set with a painted poodle pendant, and a pink pearl necklace set with earrings and ring. There was excessive amounts of lead in these jewelry sets.
  
  

Target Toy Recall

• Target recalled about 350,000 of its Happy Giddy Gardening Tools and Sunny Patch Chairs for children. The gardening tools included brooms, rakes, trowels and hoes that had flowers or faces decorating the handles. The Sunny Patch Chairs had giraffes, monkeys and elephants on their backs. The paint on these tools and chairs had excessive amounts of lead.
  
  

Other Recalls

• Other toys affected during the spate of lead-related recalls in the summer of 2007 include Britain's Knights of the Sword toy series made by RC2 Corp., Floor Puppet Theaters made by Guidecraft Inc. and Children's Spinning-Wheel Metal Necklaces made by Rhode Island Novelty.