So, I’ve just been having a look at the CPSC’s Toy Hazard Recalls listing. It contains all of the recalls for toys since February 25, 1974 (for a toy chest which apparently could trap a childs head between the front and top of the chest, resulting in at least one death….). It includes the notice on September 2, 1977 when lead was offically banned from paint on all toys and furniture, with only a few exceptions.
The next mention of lead (at least in the titles, its possible theres mentions in the actual articles. I’ll try to determine that over the next few days and post as such), comes on March 4, 1993. It is for a 10,000 puzzles which were imported from Israel, in which the red paint contains lead. From their they become slightly more common, with 3 in 1994 for an art set , toy wagon, and imported crayons all made in China; 1 in 1996 for 32 wooden beads with a cord for stringing , and a set of six spinning tops also all made in China ; 1 in 1998 for decals on pedal cars by Oscar Mayer. And then nothing for nearly 8 years.
In 2006 they crop up again, starting with flashlights fom Little Tikes on March 1st, followed by American Girl children’s jewlery on March 30th, bendable dog and cat toys on August 17th, various “Kool Toyz” from Target on November 15th. And that brings us to the start of 2007, as the recalls continue to trickle in, one after another for the first 7 months of the year (totalling 8 through July) before exploding in August (9), September (10) and October (28).
What of course most people don’t realize is that they didn’t end in October. That they continued on throughout the fall and winter(November: 11; December: 5; January: 6; February: 6; March: 5) . That they continue even now, with the latest just four days ago.
The Toy Report 