New York’s Attorney General Announces Lead Found in Children’s Toys at Major Retailers

In April, the office of the Attorney General of New York reported that they have discovered children’s toys being sold to residents that contained high levels of lead. The toys, jewelry-making kits made overseas, were supplied by a New Jersey company. The items were discovered for sale at three major retailers and one of the nation’s largest online retailers.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman’s office announced that in some instances, the jewelry-making kits contained lead levels that were up to ten-times greater than federal child safety limits. He has called for the supplier and retailers to immediately remove the products from shelves in New York and issue a recall. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has also been contacted and asked to require a national recall of these children’s products. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shares the following two aspects of toy manufacturing that could expose children to lead. They include: 

• Paint: Lead may be found in the paint on toys. Lead was banned in house paint, on products marketed to children, and in dishes or cookware in the United States in 1978. But it is still widely used in other countries and therefore can still be found on imported toys. It may also be found on older toys made in the United States before the ban.

• Plastic: The use of lead in plastics has not been banned. Lead softens the plastic and makes it more flexible so that it can go back to its original shape. It may also be used in plastic toys to stabilize molecules from heat. When the plastic is exposed to substances such as sunlight, air, and detergents the chemical bond between the lead and plastics breaks down and forms dust.

The CPSC states that with a few limited exceptions, all children’s products manufactured after August 14, 2011, must not contain more than 100 parts per million (ppm) of total lead content in accessible parts.

“Children are most vulnerable to the harm caused by exposure to lead so it is imperative that they are protected from playing with toys that put them at risk,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “Toy manufacturers, retailers, government agencies and parents can turn to the lead testing professionals at EMSL Analytical. Lead testing will identify any exposure risks and could also prevent costly recalls and potential litigation against companies found to be selling products with elevated levels of lead.”

EMSL recently sponsored and educational video about potential lead hazards in children’s toys that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/vnnkb4Pr1uM.

To learn more about lead or other heavy metal and environmental testing services, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email  info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.

EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental, indoor air quality, consumer product and materials testing services and products for professionals and the general public.  The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

(1) 856-303-2503

Contact via E-mail