From a baby pacifier to an item marked "Lead Free," thousands of children's toys have been discovered to contain lead and are now the subject of a massive Health Canada recall.
According to a published report, toys were tested in two different ways for the presence of the toxic metal, and approximately one in four came up positive for it. The trinkets were bought at 18 different stores across the GTA, and many of them were manufactured in China.
Among the items found to have lead, the aforementioned baby soother, as well as a penny-sized scrapbook charm that if swallowed could kill a small child. There was also a jewellery kit described as "Lead Free," a stuffed animal dressed in a Mountie uniform and a mini plastic hockey stick.
Though the test was done independently, Health Canada followed up with its own and confirmed the presence of lead in six of seven items named in the report.
This is not the first time products from China have been put under the microscope.
Other toys and products made in that country were determined to contain lead, and more recently there were reports of milk and baby formula tainted with the chemical melamine.
Federal Health Minister Tony Clement said the test results were "deeply disturbing." He added that Ottawa would bring in stricter laws over the enforcement of products containing lead in order to protect consumers.
Experts say it's essential parents pay attention to what they're buying for young ones.
"You want to look out for toys that are less risky," explains
Today's Parent Magazine editor Sandra Martin. "Toys that are painted plastic or painted metal will be a little bit more risky than something that's made of a solid material."
Martin adds that where you buy your toys has everything to do with what you're buying.
"Stay away from dollar stores because there's almost no regulation given to what toys are purchased," she advises. "It's based on, 'what can we sell for a dollar.'"
Check the
Health Canada Consumer Product Recall site here.