How Widespread is the Lead Paint Toys Issue?

12 Oct How Widespread is the Lead Paint Toys Issue?

There are countless things parents have to worry about. Until lead paint toys began to surface a couple of years ago, the safety of their children’s toys was rarely one of them. Most parents assume that the packaged toys that have been purchased from a store have been rigorously tested and are safe for the age range specified on the wrapping. Sometimes these types of issues with product safety are isolated to a small area where a defective batch has accidentally gone out. Unfortunately though, in the last couple of years there have been an alarming number of cases of lead paint toys found, leading to widespread recalls.
Evidence of just how widespread this danger has become, is the latest news that retail giant Target was fined $600,000 for selling the lead laden toys between May 2006 and August 2007. Since 1978, the US federal government has banned toys containing lead (and lead paint in general) because of the lethal threat that lead poses to children. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission made the decision based on their findings that adequate efforts were not made by Target to ensure the safety of the imported toys. Target maintains that it did not knowingly sell unsafe toys and that they felt that proper testing had taken place.

With the holiday season just around the corner, it is important to be aware of possible safety issues with the products you buy, in particular with toys. The security of consumer products is the responsibility of the manufacturers and retailers who make them available to the public. If your child or another you care about has been affected by lead paint toys it is a product liability issue. Please fill out our form and let our experienced team assess your case for free.