Bendable Toys Distributed at Some Local Libraries Recalled
Due to Lead
Content
August 24, 2006, DENVER - Bendable toys given away
by libraries are being recalled because the paint on the
toys contains excessive levels of lead, which is toxic if
ingested by young children and may cause permanent learning
and developmental delays.
The national recall by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission involves a toy made of bendable plastic that
comes in the shape of a brown dog with black ears, paws and
feet; a Dalmatian dog with pink paws; a white dog with
orange spots; a brown dog with pink paws; a white cat with
orange stripes; a brown cat with pink paws; a black cat with
pink ears and a white cat with brown spots. The toys are
about 3.75 inches tall. The toy's packaging is labeled as
item 39/1461-K and 39/1461-KM. Other animal designs, such as
lions, may also contain lead.
Mishelle Macias, program director of the Colorado Department
of Public Health and Environment's Lead Program, said, "It
is not uncommon to find lead in similar types of bendable
toys due to the plastic used. Children shouldn't be allowed
to put such toys in their mouths, and if parents are
concerned, they should discard them." The recalled toys were
free giveaways by libraries nationwide as part of reading
programs from January 2006 through August 2006. Libraries in
Colorado, including those in the Poudre School district in
Larimer County, Huerfano County, and Denver Public Library
reported receiving these or similar toys.
Denver Public Library gave away similar safari-animal
bendable toys. However, those toys were not part of the
national recall. If parents received a bendable toy at one
of Denver's libraries and are concerned because of the
similarity of these toys to the recalled toys, they can
return the toy to any Denver Public Library location, and it
will be exchanged for a different toy, while supplies last.
State Health officials urged consumers to immediately
dispose of any recalled toys.
For more information, contact the Department of Public
Health and Environment's Lead Program at 303-692-2622 or
visit the Web site of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission at (www.cpsc.gov).
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Recalled bendable toys containing lead. Photo provided by
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
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