June 8, 2009
Toymaker Pays the Price
Posted: 10:12 AM ET
From Jen PiferMedical Producer
Toymaker Mattel Corp. agreed Friday to pay $2.3 million in civil penalties for violating a federal lead paint ban that resulted in the recall of millions of popular-branded toys in 2007. Surface paints on the toys could contain excessive levels of lead, which if ingested by young children can cause adverse health effects. There are usually no symptoms of lead poisoning until the level of lead in the blood is very high. Chronic exposure can lead to symptoms like stomachaches, cramping, constipation, nausea, unexplained fatigue and muscle weakness.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said the fine was the highest ever for the agency’s regulated product violations and the third largest in its history.
See a list of the recalled items here.
No comments:
Post a Comment