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In recent months, lead has drawn widespread attention due to recalls
of toys and inexpensive jewelry. Many children’s products recently have
been identified as either having lead based paint on them or lead
contained within them. This trend is of great concern because children
instinctively place most things in their mouths, and it takes only small
amount of lead to poison a child.
Lead can be found in the paint on imported toys even though lead paint
was banned for use on products marketed to children, and in residential
paint in the United States, in 1978. When the plastic toys are exposed
to sunlight, detergents and aging the chemical bond between the lead and
plastics breaks down and forms a dust that is as dangerous as the
deteriorated lead based paint dust found in older homes. The only
accurate way to test a toy for lead is by a certified laboratory.
Products are available on the web and in stores for use by the public;
these kits do not indicate how much lead is present and may not even
detect potential lead hazards when they are present.
Signs and symptoms of lead poisoning are not always present. The Ohio
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program recommends that parents:
- Remove all recalled products from children and return them as
prescribed by the manufacturer;
- Request a blood lead test of the child’s medical provider if
they are concerned about their child’s possible exposure to lead
tainted toys or products. Testing of children is the only way to
know for sure if their child has been or is being exposed to lead
hazards.
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