Worried About Lead in Toys - How Can You Tell If a Toy Has Lead?

There was a website on the news the other night that I found very helpful and listed almost everything it seemed like that has been recalled for lead. HealthyToys.org You can search for toys a couple different ways and I found a few things that I had and was shocked!! Hope this helps!

And as far as puttig things in her mouth . . . I think it is her just being her age!! My son is 2 1/2 and he every once in a while will put things in his mouth. I think it is just them exploring!! Good Luck!

They sell lead test kits in the hardware store.

Honestly, there are so many environmental hazards to be worried about - from pesticides and hormones in foods to lead in toys, to who knows what in cleaning products. All you can do is avoid the most obvious problems, watch the recall lists. I heard on some news report that red painted items made in china are more likely to have lead in them than other colors (which is true with the products we have at home that have been recalled) so get rid of anything painted red. I've also read that toys imported from or purchased from Europe may be safer because they have higher standards for their products and imports.

If I am not mistaken, the only paint that has lead in it is the red paint. However, if you are uncomfortable about not knowing if the toy has lead, I would second buying some lead testing kits.

I do want to say that if you test a toy and find that it has lead in it...please report it. Don't just throw the toy out. It needs to be reported so other parents can get the toy out of their house, as well.

This is the government U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website. You can subscribe to their email list and they will send you new recalls. It is really helpful. I just get it in my inbox and look through to see if any apply to me.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx

Very scary all those recalls. It is the main reason why I became a Discovery Toys consultant since they do their own testing with an independent lab for every product before it gets imported.
Just keep a close eye out for new recalls. And I second the lead test.

I read that those swab tests you get in the store aren't accurate at all :( I got one and now I'm afraid to rely on it. What you should do is go to the county and have her tested (you can go to the WIC office at Methodist). Not only is it free, but if her levels are too high, they will send someone to check out your home at no cost to you! Getting someone private to come will run you $3-400:(