A US importer RC2 Corp based in Oak Brook, Illinois, in cooperation with US officials, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission voluntarily recalled 1.5 million "Thomas and Friends" wooden train toys made in China because it could be covered in a toxic, lead-based paint.
The toys, wooden vehicles, buildings and other train-set parts for young children, manufactured between January 2005 and April 2007, pose a danger to young children, who are likely to chew on the toys and expose themselves to lead.
Lead is toxic and can pose a dangerous health risk to young children, causing brain and blood disorders. Children under the age of 6 are the most affected. Karen Liller, an expert on child injury at the University of South Florida, said lead can accumulate in a child's nervous system, damaging brain development and potentially causing learning difficulties. Once that happens, irreversible damage can occur, she said.
She said symptoms of lead exposure can include loss of appetite, sluggishness and vomiting. A simple blood test for lead can be done on children as young as 6 months, and she said parents should contact their pediatrician or their local health department if they are concerned.
"Consumers should take the recalled toys away from young children immediately and contact RC2 Corp for a replacement toy," said the US agency.
Based on characters from the long-running television show Thomas & Friends, the toys are extremely popular with young boys and are among of the top-selling brands for RC2 Corp. About 4 percent of wooden trains sold by RC2 are affected by the recall. Twenty-six different types of Thomas toys are being recalled, most of which have been painted red or yellow.
The toys were manufactured in Chinese factories not restricted by a 1978 American ban on lead paint domestically.
The recall comes amid a series of health outrage regarding imports from china in the form of food, drug
'"/>Page: 1 2 Related medicine news :1.
Indians Stay Away from Coke, Pepsi After Toxin Scare2.
Anthrax Scare In Tamil Nadu State of India3.
Anthrax Scare In Tamil Nadu State of India4.
Birds Flu Scare Reaches Germany 5.
Turkey Is Listed In The Christmas Meal Despite Bird Flu Scare6.
Bird Flu Scare Does Not Reduce Demand For Chicken7.
Chicken Prices Show an Upward Trend – Consumers, Not Scared Chicken Anymor8.
The Costliest Flu Ever – This Bird-Flu Scare, Aint chicken feed9.
Bhopal Residents Relish Chicken despite Bird Flu Scare10.
Botulism Scare in Thailand Shakes US11.
Pakistan Scared By Fresh Bird Flu Case