US group finds lead in China-made vinyl bibs

16 August 2007 02:44  [Source: ICIS news]

SINGAPORE (ICIS news)--A US environmental group said late on Wednesday it has found high levels of lead in China-made vinyl bibs sold at Toys R Us stores.

The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) tested vinyl bibs purchased from Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores, for lead levels which were between three and four times the legal limit for lead in paint, it said in a statement on its website.

These included a bib with Disney's "Winnie the Pooh" characters and store brand bibs marketed as “Koala Baby” and “Especially for Baby” bibs, it added.

In May, the group exposed Wal-Mart for selling vinyl baby bibs tainted with lead, resulting in the company stopping the sale of the bibs nationwide.

"These companies have known for months that vinyl bibs could be a threat to children, yet they continued to put their profits ahead of children's health. We expect these bibs to be removed from store shelves immediately,” said Caroline Cox, Research Director at CEH.

CEH took legal action on Tuesday, notifying the retailers that their bibs violate California law.

China, the world’s largest toy maker, has recently been plagued by several quality issues on its exports after US toy sellers Mattel and RC2 issued recalls on several Chinese products.

The Beijing government has banned exports from Lida Toy Company, which manufactured products for Mattel, and Hansheng Wooden Products, whose Thomas & Friends toy trains also used high lead-content paint, the authorities said they would prosecute those involved.

The boss of Lida hung himself after the recall.

By: Florence Tan
+65 6780 4359

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