More Toy Recalls in the Offing from Target, Dollar General and other Top Retailers

The worst has yet to come. After the major Mattel toy recall which affected more than 20 million toys, the grapevine is now abuzz with news about more toy recalls to be announced shortly. In the meantime, toys from well known retailers like Target, Dollar General and Limited Two are quietly being pulled off the shelves. According to official government sources, the toys recalled from Target include the Sunny Patch Safari Children's Chair, David Kirk Happy Giddy Children's Garden Trowel and the Kool Toyz Playset. These toys all contain lead which is far higher than the legally allowed lead levels, about 600 ppm. Just to give you some idea of the dangers involved, guess how much lead some samples of the Sunny Patch Safari Children's Chair contained? A whopping 21,000 ppm - approximately 97% above the legally allowed limit!

Among the other toys being pulled off the shelves are Dollar General's 192,000 metal key chains and Tween Brands' (the owner of Limited Too stores) shower gel and body lotion sets which contained lead in a decorative flower shaped object included. Another named manufacturer, Discount School Supply has reported that three products, namely, the Giant Measuring Chart, Rolling Storage Rack and Shaving Paint Brushes may have excess levels of lead as shown in preliminary tests.

It's a good thing that the toy industry has been alerted to the lapse in safety standards. The ball has started to roll, indeed. According to the NY Times the Toy Industry Association has been persuaded to call this month for a federal mandate that all toys be tested for lead and other hazards before they are sold.