For immediate release: August 15, 2006 (06-128)

Contacts:
Eric Ossiander, Division of Environmental Health 360-236-4252
Jeff Smith, Communications Office, 360-236-4072

OLYMPIA ¾ Bendable animal toys offered as an incentive in summer reading programs by some Washington libraries may contain high levels of lead.

"Exposure to lead can be poisonous to humans, especially infants, young children and developing fetuses," said Juliet VanEenwyk, Ph.D., Washington State Department of Health epidemiologist for non-infectious conditions. "Children are more susceptible to lead poisoning because their bodies absorb more lead and their brains and bodies are still developing. Lead poisoning can result in lifelong learning disabilities and behavioral disorders."

The bendable, rubbery toy dogs and cats are about four inches long and have a shape and size that may tempt children to put them in their mouths. Two of the toys were tested by the Indiana Department of Health and found to contain 0.4 and 0.24 percent lead. The maximum safety limit is 0.06 percent.

More than 3,000 of the toys were purchased by 22 libraries in Washington. It’s not known how many have already been given to children. Parents whose children have the toys are urged to discard them or return them to the library where they got them. Highsmith Publications, which distributed the toys, has issued a voluntary recall of the product.

Washington libraries that purchased bendable toy animals:

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