Lead Found in Unsafe Toys May Cause Neurological Damage in Children

In August 2008, Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which expanded the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) budget as well as allotting the commission more tools to prosecute corporations, speed recalls and progress the banning of lead and phthalates in products. Despite these new laws, there are still plenty of toys on the market that are unsafe and may pose a threat to young children.

In the California Public Interest Research Group’s (CALPIRG) 24th Annual Trouble in Toyland Report, several toy cell phones were reported to emit sounds loud enough to cause hearing loss or impairment in young children. Even though toys containing the toxic chemicals lead and phthalate were restricted this year, a few toys slipped through the cracks. Lead is a potent neurotoxin that can lower children’s IQs as well as set the stage for a variety of other health problems. The negative health effects of phthalates are also severe.

A pre-school book available in stores had 20 times the legal level of lead. Another hazard is jewelry that also contains high levels of lead. This year alone, the CPSC has recalled 1.3 million toys due to violations of the lead paint standard.

These product defects can cause serious harm to children and even death. If an unsafe toy has injured your child, you may be able to recover medical expenses and other financial losses caused by the unsafe toy incident. Call the Mandell Law Firm at (818) 886-6600 for a free and comprehensive consultation with one of our experienced San Fernando Valley product liability attorneys.

Source:http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/nov/24/consumer-group-says-many-unsafe-toys-are-being-sol/