Health Alert: Recalled Toys Contain Lead, Pose Health Risk

Approximately 1.5 million of the toys were sold at toy stores and retailers nationwide from Jan. 2005 through June 2007.

Various Thomas the Train and Friends wooden railway toys have been recalled by the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

(SALEM, Ore. ) - Public health officials are alerting parents and families of a national recall of a popular children's toy that contains hazardous amounts of lead. The toys can pose a serious health risk to children.

Various Thomas the Train and Friends wooden railway toys have been recalled by the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

These toys have surface paints that contain lead.

Recalled items include wooden vehicles, buildings and other train set components.

Approximately 1.5 million of the toys were sold at toy stores and retailers nationwide from Jan. 2005 through June 2007.

Parents should take recalled toys away from their child immediately and contact the manufacturer for a replacement toy.

If parents have seen their child chewing or sucking on one of these toys, they should contact their health care provider and consider having their child tested for lead exposure.

Children can be exposed to lead by putting the toys in their mouths or by handling them and then putting their hands in their mouths.

Lead can harm anyone, but it is especially dangerous to children because it can slow growth and development.

It can interfere with normal brain development, resulting in lowered intelligence and behavior problems. Even small amounts of lead can be harmful.

Exposure to lead paint dust from older homes is the most common cause of lead poisoning but lead-containing products also pose a health risk to children.

Parents should also carefully check their child's environment for other possible sources of lead such as lead paint dust from normal wear or from remodeling activities, soil, pottery, or lead dust from parent's workplaces or hobbies.

The lead poisoning prevention program is one of many public health programs within DHS that focus on prevention and helping people manage their health so they can be as productive and healthy as possible.

Parents can sign up to receive e-mail alerts of lead-related product recalls and learn more about lead poisoning and possible sources of lead on the Web at www.healthoregon.org/lead

Full details about the recall are on the Web in English and Spanish at www.cpsc.gov