Kara Gunn's mother removed all painted toys from her Riverview home after reading a Tribune report on lead. (Tribune file photo by KELVIN MA)
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The ban would apply to lead and dangerous chemicals from items, such as jewelry and rubber ducks, that could end up in children's mouths.
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More than 22 million toys have been recalled in 2007 by U.S. companies.
You may search each specific category to see lists of all toys in a category, such as bicycles or blocks, or by a specific manufacturer, such as Fisher-Price or Mattel.
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FOR INFORMATION:
Health professionals can conduct a simple blood test to detect lead poisoning. Children without insurance who don’t qualify for Medicaid can get free tests at the Hillsborough County Health Department. Call (813) 307-8015, Ext. 7108.
Lead tests can be conducted on paint, toys and jewelry. Most hardware stores carry basic surface test kits While the Consumer Product Safety Commission challenges the validity of home tests, Consumer Reports magazine recommends two brands: Homax Lead Check, Household Lead Test Kit and the Lead Inspector.
U.S. Regulations
A Tampa Tribune investigation found that one in three children’s trinkets bought randomly in Bay area stores in May contained a level of lead considered a serious health risk to children younger than 6.
The Tampa Tribune tested 40 pieces of children's jewelry and toys in November for lead content. The items, all made were bought, packaged and shipped to a third-party environmental lab according to scientific chain-of-custody standards used in previous university studies.
The results indicated the amount of lead in each product and compared it with a standard that is being considered by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That standard is one of two tests the commission uses to determine whether a recall should be issued.
The Tribune randomly bought the items at 10 area retailers, which represent the range of merchants known to carry inexpensive children’s jewelry and toys. The testing concentrated on jewelry and toys made in China, the nation responsible for manufacturing many items recently recalled.
Methodology - Lead Concentration Database
To determine the accessibility of lead-tainted jewelry, The Tampa Tribune bought 40 metallic pieces of jewelry and toys at 10 Tampa Bay retailers in early May. The paper tested items using methods used by scientists at Ashland University in Ohio, which has conducted similar tests.
The purchasing criteria: the products must be inexpensive, attractive to children and made in China, the nation that manufactured many recent recalls.
Tests were conducted by Richmond, Va. Environmental Hazards Inc., an independent lab used by the Hillsborough County Health Department for its lead testing. The atomic absorption test conducted is the first of two tests used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to determine if a federal recall is merited. The test found two products, or 5 percent, contained at least .06 percent lead, one of two thresholds. Both items were metal jewelry.
The following results list the lead content based on a “parts per million” analysis. Any items containing 600 parts per million equal .06 percent lead. An “Less than” reading means the sample tested contained substantial amounts of substrate which may have affected weight percent calculation.
| NUMBER | JEWELRY | PARTS per MILLION |
RETAILER | MANUFATURER | RETAILER ADDRESS |
COST | DATE PURCHASED |
| 1 | 33-inch Strand, Red Beads
|
51 | Rhode Island Novelty Importers | Same | mail Order | $1.50/dozen | 30 Oct. |
| 2 | Star Wars Galactic Heroes Darth Vader Figurine
|
less than 27 | Big Lots | Hasbro | 3804C S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $2.50 | 30-Oct. |
| 3 | Pink Bracelet
|
less than 41 | Big Lots | Inspirations Inc. | 3804C S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.00 | 430-Oct. |
| 4 | Disney Winnie The Pooh Squeeze ‘Em Toy
|
less than 32 | Big Lots | Fisher-Price, Mattel Inc. | 3804C S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $3.50 | 30-Oct. |
| 5 | Rap Grillz
|
less than 33 | Big Lots | Ja-Ru Inc. | 3804C S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.50 | 30-Oct. |
| 6 | Sesame Street Vehicle Fun Pack
|
less than 36 | Big Lots | Fisher-Price, Mattel Inc. | 3804C S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $5.00 | 30-Oct. |
| 7 | Be Charmed Bracelet
|
370,000 | Big Lots | Unknown | 3804C S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $.50 | 30-Oct. |
| 8 | 12-inch Baby Doll
|
less than 33 | Dollar Tree | Greenbrier International Inc. | 3908 S. Dale Mabry Highway | $1.00 | 30-Oct. |
| 9 | Christmas Bracelet
|
330 | Dollar Tree | Greenbrier International Inc. | 3908 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.00 | 30-Oct. |
| 10 | Sassy & Chic Bracelet
|
less than 39 | Dollar Tree | Greenbrier International Inc. | 3908 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.00 | 30-Oct. |
| 11 | Wild West Masked Man
|
less than 36 | Dollar Tree | Ja-Ru Inc. | 3908 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.00 | 30-Oct. |
| 12 | Limited Too Bracelet
|
670 | Beall’s Outlet | Limited Too, Tween Brands Inc. | 3848 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $2.09 | 30-Oct. |
| 13 | Walt Disney Princess Stick-On Rings
|
less than 96 | Beall’s Outlet | H.E.R. Accessories | 3848 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.99 | 30-Oct. |
| 14 | Dora The Explorer Squirt Pals
|
less than 32 | Target | Fisher-Price, Mattel Inc. | 3625 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa | $7.99 | 30-Oct. |
| 15 | Kool Toyz Motorized Racing Rascals
|
less than 33 | Target | Target Corp. | 3625 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa | $5.00 | 30-Oct. |
| 16 | Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Thomas
|
less than 26 | Target | Learning Curve Brands Inc. | 3625 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa | $9.89 | 30-Oct. |
| 17 | Disney Pixar Cars Wingo
|
less than 26 | Target | Mattel Inc. | 3625 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa | $3.29 | 30-Oct. |
| 18 | Disney Fairies Keyring
|
77 | Claire’s Boutique | Monogram International Inc. | Westshore Plaza., Tampa | $5.50 | 31-Oct. |
| 19 | Claire’s Club Cross Necklance
|
79 | Claire’s Boutique | Unknown | Westshore Plaza, Tampa | $3.50 | 31-Oct. |
| 20 | Pirates of the Caribbean Necklace
|
less than 33 | Claire’s Boutique | High IntenCity Corp. | Westshore Plaza, Tampa | $7.50 | 31-Oct. |
| 21 | Gymboree Red Bracelet
|
230 | Gymboree | Gym-Mark Inc. | Westshore Plaza., Tampa | $8.00 | 4-May |
| 22 | Gymboree Snowflake Hair Clip
|
130 | Gymboree | Gym-Mark Inc. | Westshore Plaza., Tampa | $8.00 | 31-Oct. |
| 23 | Nature’s Own Shape Sorting Farm
|
less than 38 | Family Dollar | Blue Box International LTD. | 11616 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $5.00 | 1-Nov. |
| 24 | Dora The Explorer Charm Bracelet and Necklace
|
less than 35 | Family Dollar | H.E. R. Accessories | 11616 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $2.00 | 1-Nov |
| 25 | Distinctly Basics Crystal Horseshoe Necklace
|
less than 26 | Family Dollar | Rachel Rose | 11616 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $3.49 | 1-Nov. |
| 26 | Mega Racer Neon Truck
|
less than 28 | Family Dollar | Polyfect Toys Co. LTD. | 11616 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $.60 | 1-Nov. |
| 27 | Play Metal Hand Cuffs
|
less than 36 | Family Dollar | Ja-Ru Inc. | 11616 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $2.00 | 1-Nov. |
| 28 | Bruin Musical Teething Ring
|
less than 35 | Toys R Us | Geoffrey Inc. | W. Fowler Ave. (now closed), Tampa | $4.99 | 1-Nov. |
| 29 | Classic Wooden Puzzle
|
less than 39 | Toys R Us | Wood N Things | W. Fowler Ave. (now closed), Tampa | $4.99 | 1-Nov. |
| 30 | Just Like Home Hot Dogs
|
less than 38 | Toys R Us | Geoffrey Inc. | W. Fowler Ave. (now closed), Tampa | $2.98 | 1-Nov. |
| 31 | Hello Kitty Lanyard
|
less than 28 | Toys R Us | Sanrio Co. LTD. | W. Fowler Ave. (now closed), Tampa | $4.99 | 1-Nov. |
| 32 | Totally Me Makit & Bakit Jewelry
|
less than 30 | Toys R Us | Geoffrey Inc. | W. Fowler Ave. (now closed), Tampa | $9.99 | 1-Nov. |
| 33 | Bratz Babyz Mermaidz
|
less than 27 | Wal-Mart | MGA Entertainment Inc. | 8220 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $6.88 | 1-Nov. |
| 34 | Infantino Rubber Duck
|
less than 30 | Wal-Mart | Infantino LLC | 8220 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $0.97 | 1-Nov. |
| 35 | Express Yourself Cutie Dog Tags
|
less than 36 | Wal-Mart | Imperial Toy LLC | 8220 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.96 | 1-Nov. |
| 36 | Key Elements Princess Keychain
|
83 | Wal-Mart | Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | 8220 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $1.97 | 1-Nov. |
| 37 | Girl Connection Kitty Necklace
|
80 | Wal-Mart | Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | 8220 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $3.82 | 1-Nov. |
| 38 | Wonderful World Of Disney Mickey Mouse Necklace and Rings
|
34 | Wal-Mart | FAF Inc. | 8220 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $4.97 | 1-Nov. |
| 39 | Girl Connection Flower and Ring Set
|
170 | Wal-Mart | Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | 8220 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa | $3.82 | 1-Nov. |
| 40 | Elmo’s Sing Along Greatest Hits
|
less than 33 | owned by Tampa Tribune staff member – pulled as part of August Mattel Recall | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown |
Reporter: Mary Shedden - The Tampa Tribune
Photos: Jim Reed - The Tampa Tribune
Video: Kelvin Ma - The Tampa Tribune
Copy Editor: Corrie Benfield - The Tampa Tribune
Designer: Tara Voelker - TBO.com | Online Producers: Laura Fiorilli, Vidisha Priyanka - TBO.com