Lead in toys

[webshark3]

We all know that Baby Einstein (KidsII) recalled these blocks to lead:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08005.html

I emailed them recently to ask about the blocks we purchased in ~2001 (not in the scope of this recall).

Email:
mailto:form.submission@kidsii.com
Comments: We own the color blocks but they are several years old. We have removed them from our infants crib. I know the current recall only affects 2 models in 2007 but were the older ones tested as well?
Model Number: unsure
Product Name: Baby EinsteinT Discover & PlayT Color Blocks

Response:
_______________________________________________________________
From: CS_Temp2 [mailto:cs_temp2@kidsii.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 20, 2007 2:57 PM
Subject: RE: Consumer Services Form Results Submitted 11/20/2007 2:15:28 PM

God afternoon,

The only blocks that are being recalled are the blocks that were manufactured between June 2007 and September 2007. If your blocks were purchased prior to those dates then your blocks are completely fine. All of Kids II products has been tested and the blue blocks were the only product that contain a excessive amount of lead.

Thank you for your interest in Kids II products.
_____________________________________________________________

Followup: I think I'm done with Baby Einstein. Ironically, these blocks were on a very short list of items allowed in my two kids cribs. I'll be contacting the company soon. (By the way, the darker the red, the worse the lead level)

 

[Disneylush]

okay so this lead thing has me all confused. One night on the news they had a doctor from the Mayo Clinic saying unless your child is taking bites off there toys you are fine. There is actually a lot less lead in toys now then there was 20 or more years ago and no one died... Then the local news has on parent groups burning toys! Not really sure what level of reaction I should have about all of this.

 

[java]

Baby toys in cribs spend a lot of time in the mouths. I would be mad too. (email them the photo! and ask them to do a test)

Now on the other stuff(like trains ect) I guess I have taken a more lax attitude about it. My kids are not putting it in their mouths. I guess I could be concerned about them putting their fingers in their mouths after playing with

 

[webshark3]

Java: you hit it on the head. Old trains, cars, etc played with my older children I'm, much less concerned about. The block above were sooo heavily chewed by my sons (as infants) that you can see how worn they are. For KidsII to tell me they were tested and safe makes me furious.

 

[mikymouse]

Webshark3, have you had your childrens blood tested for lead?

My older children were tested a few years ago because we lived in an older home.. they were fine I will be having all of the children tested in the coming year. I use to put Xmas lights on the railings but will not do that anymore due to the lead issue (they are full of lead). I feel more comfortable with my old toys versus buying any of the newly manufacturer toys.

 

[webshark3]

Thanks Mikymouse; both my kids have general checkups soon. I'll give our doctor the info, and we trust her opinion (wheter tests arre necessary or not).

I've contacted Baby Einstein, KidsII, and the Chicago Tribune. I'd like to have them lab tested (hence the Tribune as an indepentant source). They broke one of the original Lead stories.

 

[webshark3]

Updates in order:

Sent to KidsII via their submission form:

Reason For Contact: Need Information
Comments: After receiving the following email I tested my Yellow block. It was purchased sometime ~2001 and shows excessive levels of lead (Household brand Lead Check). I assume you can show lab tests for products manufactured this far back? I was told they were safe.

________________________ From: CS_Temp2 [mailto:cs_temp2@kidsii.com] Sent: Tuesday November 20 2007 2:57 PM A. Subject: RE: Consumer Services Form Results Submitted 11/20/2007 2:15:28 PM God afternoon The only blocks that are being recalled are the blocks that were manufactured between June 2007 and September 2007. If your blocks were purchased prior to those dates then your blocks are completely fine. All of Kids II products has been tested and the blue blocks were the only product that contain a excessive amount of lead. Thank you for your interest in Kids II products. Sincerely Geornee’ La Grone Consumer Service Representative 770.751.0442 x1452
Model Number: unsure
Product Name: Baby EinsteinT Discover & PlayT Color Blocks

 

[webshark3]

Response from KidsII:

Good Afternoon,



Please refer to this link.
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2220811220071022

KIDS II

 

[webshark3]

My response:

According to the article provided:



http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2220811220071022

“The safety agency said it analyzed 104 lead test results and found 56 gave false negative results while two gave false positives.”

"None of the kits consistently detected lead in products if the lead was covered with a non-leaded coating,"



53% were false negative: i.e. the test did not detect lead when it was present.

2% were false positive: i.e. lead was detected in a lead-free item.

45% were accurate.



Since my test was positive, there is a 98% chance that lead is present in your blocks dating back to 2001.



In addition, the lead test kit used was intended for use on household items and toys. It was not designated specifically for wall paint.



Again, I was told by KidsII that all blocks prior to 2007 were tested and found safe. KidsII has yet to provide evidence to support this statement.

 

[webshark3]

My email direct to Baby Einstein:

Hello,



Since my first son was born in 2001, my wife and I were extremely cautious about the toys placed in our infant’s crib. We were a big fan of Baby Einstein DVDs, and started buying the Baby Einstein branded toys as well. In fact, the Color Blocks were the only items placed in both our sons’ cribs. After the recall this year by KidsII, I contacted the company to see if older products were also tested. Below is my form submission as well as their response.



Afterword, I tested the yellow block with Household Brand Lead Check. The result was an instant positive for Lead (Photo attached of the heavily infant chewed yellow block). At this point, I don’t have much choice. I must remove all Baby Einstein products from my children, and cease to buy them in the future. I could have accepted KidsII if they said they were unsure, and to remove the blocks as a precaution. But they didn’t. They lied.



My blocks have not been lab tested, but I will pursue that option. Families often re-use toys passed down from siblings, and it is important to understand that the Lead scare isn’t confined to 2007 products (as Mattel and KidsII seem to think).
____________________________________________________________

Their response:

Dear Baby Einstein Guest,

Thank you for your inquiry regarding the voluntary recall of the Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks.

I want to take this opportunity to say that your trust and confidence in our products is incredibly important to me. Product safety is a top priority at The Baby Einstein Company, and we're committed to adhering to the highest product safety and quality standards. As a father of an infant myself, I take this commitment to product safety extremely personally.

The Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks are being voluntarily recalled in the U.S. because their expanded testing detected lead traces that are slightly higher than the federal limit. Please note that only certain Discover & Play Color Block date codes sold since June 2007 are subject to recall. All other Color Blocks have tested safe. For more information about the date codes, specific questions regarding the recall, or if you wish to receive a replacement product free of charge, please visit the Kids II Web site at www.kidsii.com.

Let me assure you that no other Baby Einstein products have tested unsafe, and we've retested them all. I know that by buying a Baby Einstein product, you are trusting us to provide your family with a tool you can believe in and rely on. All of us at Disney and Baby Einstein, including myself, take the responsibility of providing you with superior products extremely seriously, and as a result, we have added new safety measures to all of the products we manufacture.

Thank you for letting us earn your trust in the past. Please know that we remain committed to ensuring that Baby Einstein products are not only the safest, but the best infant products available.

All my best to you and your family,


Andy Mooney
Chairman of Disney Consumer Products
_________________________________________________________

My response:

Mr. Mooney,



I keep hearing that the prior products were tested and completely safe, but no one will provide the lab reports dating back to early 2001. I'm looking at a positive lead test. As a father of an infant yourself, would you give blocks that tested positive to your infant without conclusive evidence?

 

[webshark3]

Baby Einstein respose:

From: Guest Services, The Disney Store Online [mailto:guest.services@disneyonline.com]
Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 6:02 AM
Subject: Re: RE: Baby Einstein Recall Inquiry

Thank you for your recent correspondence.

We appreciate your interest in Baby Einstein. Baby Einstein prides
itself in providing quality merchandise for all and we will continue to
make every effort towards achieving that goal. We appreciate your
comments regarding our products; your comments will be forwarded to the
appropriate department.

We look forward to hearing from you in the future.


Sincerely,

Vickie
The Baby Einstein Guest Services Team