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Lead Paint Leads to Another Big Mattel Recall

Fisher-Price Locomotives, Bongo Drums, Barbie Accessories

By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com

September 4, 2007

• Bush Signs Consumer Safety Bill • Congress Passes Consumer Safety Bill, Bush Promises to Sign It • Consumer Safety Bill Clears Key Hurdle • Consumer Advocates Blame Lobbyists for Delays in New Toy Safety Rules • Congress Inches Towards New Consumer Safety Bill • Congress Reaches Agreement on Parts of Consumer Safety Bill • Consumers Press Congress to Pass Strong Product Safety Bill • Safety Agency Waits 16 Months to Recall Lead-Laden Key Chains • Lawmakers Propose Bill To Prevent 'Stove Tipping' • Senate Passes Tough New Consumer Safety Bill • Infant Deaths in the Nursery Increasing • Sears Stove Tip-Over Case Illustrates Safety Agency's Shortcomings • Next Season's Toys: Technology Meets Hannah Montana • Toys Safer than Ever, Toy Makers Claim • Toy Industry Needs Import Safety Checklist • Toys Getting Safer, Safety Chief Claims • Plastic War Hits The Toy Industry • Feds Propose New Furniture Fire Rule • Safety Recalls a Sign of Success? • Congressional Leaders Send Message to Mattel • Another Industry Lobbyist To Head Safety Agency? • $30 Million Settlement in Thomas & Friends Suit • Consumer Protection Bills Spark Bitter Lobbying Battle • Time Running out for Consumer Safety Agency --- • More Consumer Safety News • Recall Notices

Giant toymaker Mattel is recalling another huge batch of toys because they contain excessive amounts of lead. This time it's Barbie accessories and Fisher-Price train locomotives and bongo drums that are being recalled.

It's the third big toy recall for Mattel this summer.

Early in August, the company recalled 1.5 million toys featuring Elmo and other popular characters because of fears they were contaminated with lead.

Later in August, the company recalled a "Sarge" toy cars because of high lead levels in the paint, as well as nine million other toys that contained tiny magnets that can be deadly if swallowed.

The toys containing magnets included the Barbie, Batman, Doggie Day Care and Polly Pocket line-ups.

The total number of items recalled by Mattel in the U.S. and internationally is thought to be about 19 million.

The latest recall is being announced jointly by Mattel and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The CPSC has been the focus of increasing concern in recent years. It has had only two commissioners since ex-Chairman Hal Stratton, a Bush appointee, bolted the job with little warning on July 15, 2006, to become a lobbyist with a D.C. law firm.

The agency's budget has been shrinking steadily and staff size and morale are at a low points, agency insiders say.

Defective toy injuries increase

The latest recall follows a new study which found that the number of children injured by products recalled for fire- and burn-related hazards more than doubled in the last five years, in comparison with the preceding decade.

The study, conducted by the nonprofit organization Kids in Danger (KID), examined the 40 children’s products recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the last five years for risk of fire and burns, and analyzed the recall process and its participants.

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