|
Unusual Sources of Lead Contributing to the Occurrence of Lead
Poisoning
June 2007
- Old toys and furniture (made before 1978) painted with lead-based
paint. Parents should be especially careful when buying used,
painted cribs.
- Mini-blinds (imported, vinyl, non-glossy varieties). As
they age, lead dust can be released. Look for label saying,
"non-leaded" or "no lead added" before purchasing.
- Lead in soil. Lead may come from paint chips that have flaked
off older homes, or leaded gasoline exhaust from cars. When
children play in the soil, the lead clings to their hands,
toys, etc.
- Porcelain bathtubs. Lead leaches into the water causing
risk of lead poisoning to young children who often drink or
ingest bath water from fingers or bathtub toys.
- Ceramic glazed dishes and cups, esp. older or handmade items
and Mexican terra cotta pottery. Some glazes contain lead,
which can contaminate food and beverages.
- Lead crystal. Can contaminate food and drinks stored in
it.
- Pewter dishes/ food storage containers. The lead in pewter
can contaminate food and beverages.
- Crayons imported from China. Hazard comes from eating or
chewing on these lead-containing crayons.
- Lead used for hobbies - leaded glass, ceramic glazes-and
lead from the work environment can be brought home on clothes,
shoes, etc.
- Metal toy jewelry sold in vending machines. In 2004, 150
million pieces of toy jewelry from India were recalled, including
rings, necklaces and bracelets. Since then, many more recalls
of metal toy jewelry have taken place. When young children
mouth or swallow these items, they are at risk of lead poisoning.
- Bendable dog and cat toys made in China. This toy was a
free giveaway by libraries nationwide as part of reading programs
from January 2006 through August 2006 and is painted with
lead paint.
- Wooden toy storage boxes decorated with graphics from the
animated movie "Cars." The red paint on the partition panels
of the toy box contains high levels of lead.
- Antique White Furniture from the Land of Nod®. Some of the
furniture contain paint with high levels of lead.
- Decorative snaps and metal clips from the "Rob and Bob Studio"
made by Provo Craft.
- "Kool Toyz" brand toys, including sets containing die-cast
cars, playground set, doll house set, dinosaurs, trucks, boats
and planes, sold at Target stores due to lead paint.
- Garden hoses. Many hoses contain lead and should not be
used for drinking unless specifically labeled "safe for drinking".
- Folk remedies containing lead, such as "greta" and "azarcon".
Used to treat upset stomach in Hispanic and Asian communities.
- Chapulines (grasshoppers) from Mexico, eaten as snack food.
Usually seasoned, sold in small unlabeled bags at Hispanic
food stores or flea markets; some have been found to be highly
contaminated with lead.
- Cosmetic product, called Sindoor, produced in India. Contains
high levels of lead. Not intended for consumption, but product
may be inadequately labeled, and has been implicated in cases
of severe lead poisoning.
- Skin product, called Litargirio, from the Dominican Republic.
Nearly 80% lead, this powder may be used as a deodorant/antiperspirant,
foot powder, or used to treat fungal skin infections and burns.
- Home remedy, called Pay loo ah. This is a red powder used
to treat rashes and fever, and also contains lead.
- Certain imported candies, especially from Mexico. Dulmex-brand
Bolirindo lollipops, tamarind candy, and candies flavored
with chili powder have been found to contain unacceptable
amounts of lead, but many others have been found to also contain
lead.
- Lead-lined boxes used to store dental radiograph film in
dental offices. Patients who are x-rayed with film stored
in these older storage boxes are exposed to a substantial
amount of lead.
- Dietary Calcium supplements. Some supplements have been
found to contain unacceptable levels of lead.
- Candlewicks (imported). When leaded wicks burn, they release
poisonous fumes that can be inhaled and may also leave a toxic
dust.
- Household electrical, telephone, and computer cords. Lead
has been found on the hands of individuals handling these
cords and can be ingested with greatest risk to young children.
- Sidewalk chalk. Multicolored sidewalk chalk manufactured
in China was found to contain high levels of lead in 2003.
Package labeled "Double Dipp'n Fun" and sold at Target stores.
- Some children's fishing poles. Paint on these brightly colored
rods contains lead. (April, 2005)
- Soft vinyl lunch boxes with children's characters. The highest
lead levels were found in the lining of lunch boxes, where
lead could come into direct contact with food. Children may
be exposed to lead when they eat food that has been stored
in them or by handling the lunchboxes just before eating.
(Aug, 2005)
- Floor mat map game. The orange paint on Maptangle™ World
Edition Floor Mat Map Game contains excess levels of lead.
(Aug, 2005)
- Gemco® Lemonade Jars. The six-sided glass jar with a round
glass lid has a metal spigot at the bottom of the jar which
contains lead and is in direct contact with the contents of
the lemonade jar. Lemonade and other beverages can cause the
lead to leach from the spigot.
- The coating on the snaps of certain children's clothing.
One recall involved "Starting Out Shirt and Overalls", by
Samara Brothers and sold at Dillard's in 2006.
- Toys "R" Us military-style "Elite Operations" Toy Sets.
Recalled for high levels of lead paint.
- Stuffed Fun Balls. An orange stuffed ball toy that measures
4 inches in diameter and designed to look like a basketball
contains high levels of lead paint.
- Metal key chains sold at Dollar General Stores.
- Anima - Bamboo Collection Games sold at Target stores due
to use of lead paint.
- Invincibles Transport Converters Toy Sets by "Soldier Bear"
recalled for high levels of lead in surface paint.
- Toy wooden drums (Eli's Small Drums and Liberty's Large
Drums). Wooden drums are painted with lead paint.
- "High School Musical" children's metal jewelry. Recalled
due to high levels of lead in paint.
Source: Cornell
Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
|
