Reminder: For nine out of ten lead-poisoned children in Kent County, the primary source of lead poisoning is lead-based paint and residual lead dust in the home. As dramatic as the toy recalls are, the risk caused by lead-based paint and lead contaminated soil in and around older housing is far greater.

During the past year, many products made for children - toys, jewelry, clothing, lunch boxes and more - have been found to contain lead. Many of these products are imported and are finding their way from store shelves to children's homes. While the Consumer Product Safety Commission issues recalls for these products as soon as they are identified, it is estimated that fewer than 20% of recalled items are actually returned.

It's more than just toys. Recalled items also include jewelry, clothing, and children's items like lunch boxes and furniture.

Review Your Toys and Children's Products for Recalls using these resources:

• Consumer Product Safety Commission website for recalls of toys and other children's products.

• A list children's toys and jewelry recalled due to lead that is regularly updated by HealthPlus of Michigan. Click here for the 2008 List, or click here for the 2007 List (PDFs).

• Toy Safety Resources from the The American Academy of Pediatrics is an excellent page that provides various lists of recalled toys, frequently asked questions and answers, and other safety tips.

• KidsGrowth.com has an excellent list of toys and products with photos.

• The Michigan Department of Community Health has pictures of recalled toys on its website. Click on the "Announcements" link on the left.

Some Sensible Thoughts About Screening and Testing Toys and Children's Products

The Healthy Homes Coalition promotes the use of the highest standards in testing children's toys and products. While parents may find toy screening by XRF or other methods helpful, the best standard for product testing is analysis in the lab. For more information on what is involved in testing toys and other children's products, see these excellent resources from the National Center for Healthy Housing.

Factsheet: Toys and Childhood Lead Exposure. What to do about all those toy recalls? While the Healthy Homes Coalition always recommends fixing lead-based paint hazards first, parents who want to learn more about checking their children's toys can use this handy fact sheet courtesy of the National Center for Healthy Housing (80 KB PDF).

Factsheet: Testing for Lead in Children's Toys. Lots of parents are asking about how to check their children's toys for lead. The answers are not easy. See this concise fact sheet courtesy of the National Center for Healthy Housing (204 KB PDF).

Other Non-Paint Sources of Lead

Environmental Sources

• Ceramicware or Pottery
• Lead crystal
• Lead-soldered cans (imported)
• Lead paint
• Lead-painted homes
• Renovating or remodeling older homes
• Burning lead-painted wood
• Use of water from lead pipes
• Living near lead-related industries
• Soil or dust near industries and roadways

Sources From Hobbies

• Car or boat repair
• Casting lead figures (toy soldiers, etc.)
• Painting
• Furniture refinishing
• Jewelry and pottery making
• Stained glass making
• Lead soldering (e.g., electronics)
• Making lead shot, fishing sinkers, bullets
• Target shooting at firing ranges

Occupational Sources (Adults working in these industries can bring lead dust into your home).

• Auto Repair
• Radiator repair
• Battery manufacturing or repair
• Bridge reconstruction worker
• Construction worker
• Plumber, pipe fitter
• Police officer
• Migrant farm worker
• Printing
• Glass manufacturing
• Brass, copper & aluminum processing
• Chemical manufacturing
• Plastics manufacturing
• Rubber products manufacturing
• Steel welding and cutting
• Industrial machine operator

Other Sources

• Asian cosmetics - Kohl
• Home remedies - Albayalde, Alkohl, Ayurvedoc, Azarcon (also called Alarcon, Coral, luiga, maria luisa and rueda), Ba Bow Sen, Bali Goli, Cebagin, Cordyceps, Ghasard, Greta, Hai ge fen, Kandu Kushta, Mai gen fen, Pay-loo-ah, Poying tan, X-yoo-Fa
• Food additives - Lozeena

A Caution About the Most Frequent Source of Lead Poisoning.

For nine out of ten lead-poisoned children in Kent County, the primary source of lead poisoning is lead-based paint and residual lead dust in the home. As dramatic as the toy recalls are, the risk caused by lead-based paint and lead contaminated soil in and around older housing is far greater.

As dramatic as the toy recalls are, the risk caused by lead-based paint and lead contaminated soil in and around older housing is far greater. For more information on reducing lead-based paint hazards in the home, contact the Healthy Homes Coalition at (616) 241-3300.