More toy fiascos hit the news and the recall lists again this week. This time, it’s Barbie accessories that Mattel is recalling because of dangerous paint laced with lead, which could cause serious harm to children. If ingested or absorbed, lead reaches certain levels in the blood, it can cause learning disorders, behavioral problems and impaired intellectual growth in children.
So what’s a parent to do? Well, at this point, you may want to evaluate your entire toy inventory against the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s growing list of lead-paint contaminated toys. See the CPSC website for details on the recalled toys, which have been made in China for American firms such as Shylling, Little Tykes and Fisher Price. Those with Barbie toys should go immediately to Mattel’s website, where you can view pictures of and get the model numbers for the affected play sets. The recall page lists the specific paint and parts affected. This will allow you to keep any unaffected parts — NOT!
Thankfully, Barbie’s not a big actor at our house and we don’t have any these specific afflicted accessories. But if we did, I’m not sure I would trust that the only contamination is on the yellow, brown and orange painted parts of the Barbie Kitchen Playset as outlined on the Mattel website. I think instead, in light of the avalanche of recalls, I would pitch the entire set. Ditto the Barbie Dream Puppy House pictured here. (Fido is circled because he’s the one coated with poison).
Read More: Safe Toys? Yes, They Are Out There












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