Both Boy’s and Girl’s belts have been recalled from Target stores:

Hazard: The belt buckles contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Sold exclusively at: Target stores and on Target.com nationwide from December 2008 through December 2009 for between $7 and $9

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled belts and return them to any Target store to receive a full refund.

For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.target.com

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

As part of a Congressional investigation, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released information this week that found that nearly all of the herbal dietary supplements tested had trace amounts of Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, or Cadmium.   While these were not found to exceed current legal limits, these metals were still present in measurable amounts.  Additionally, 16 of the 40 supplements tested were found to contain Pesticides that were above legal limits.  Some manufacturers even made illegal claims to cure cancer or other diseases.

How can this happen? Under current Federal law, manufacturers are not required to obtain FDA approval for dietary supplements.  Also, many of these supplements are manufactured in China, and it has be confirmed by independent laboratories that many have quality control problems.  Although Congress will soon vote to change the law,  provisions to restrict supplements to FDA approved components will not be included.

What can I do? Be very careful what supplements you give you’re children.  If you give any supplements to your children, check with your pediatrician first.  They may not be necessary, and you could inadvertently be giving them something containing heavy metals and/or pesticides.

Source: NY Times, May 25th, 2010.  Study Finds Supplements Contain Contaminants.

As parents struggle to keep track of the numerous toy recalls and safety alerts that may affect their children, Lead Free OC is teaming up with Eastbluff Medical Walk-In & Wellness Center to introduce services that will lower their children’s risk of poisoning. This Sunday, May2nd, from 9am to 5pm, the Eastbluff Medical Walk-In Clinic is sponsoring an all-day safety clinic featuring free lead screening of children’s toys. Eastbluff Medical Walk-In & Wellness Center is the first facility in Orange County to offer toy screening at no cost to the public and is also providing low cost professional child car seat installation by a nationally certified instructor.

This is a great opportunity for parents to take advantage of free lead screening of toys. It’s fast, non-harmful, and only takes a few seconds to know that your child’s favorite toys are safe. Eastbluff Medical is the only place in Orange County that offers lead screening services free to the public.

Approximately 250,000 U.S. children have blood lead levels above the CDC action level for treatment. Lead poisoning can lead to lower IQ and learning disorders and often occurs with no obvious symptoms and frequently goes unrecognized. Despite recent legislation and increased public awareness, a recent study conducted by a non-profit organization found that 1 in 3 toys tested last year still contained one or more harmful chemical including lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury.

For more information, call us at 714-612-0227

Eastbluff Medical Walk-In Clinic is located at:
2507 Eastbluff Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

To learn more about the Eastbluff Medical Walk-in & Wellness Center service offerings or appointments, visit;
http://EastbluffMedical.com
http://www.Safetyinmotion.org

Even small amounts of lead absorbed into their body can cause lowered IQ, speech delays, learning disabilities, reduced growth, and behavior difficulties (e.g. ADHD). So even though recent regulations have been brought about by the relatively rare occurrence of acute poisoning (a child that swallowed a lead laden bracelet), the effects of low level long term exposure have been know for 20 years and federal agencies (EPS, CDC, & FDA) have been working to lower environmental exposure to lead by banning lead in gasoline and in dishes/flatware, for example. So, since there is no safe level of lead for children, and even small amounts can cause harm, it’s much better to have a lead-free environment.

How can they do this you ask? Well, U.S. regulations on toys (CPSIA) currently ONLY cover lead and not any other toxic heavy metals. While most often found in jewelry, where it comprises about 10% of the metal, levels have been found over 90%. Some retailers are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission and offering voluntary recalls, they are not required to do so. If you thought your child’s toys are now safe because of the ban on lead, you may want to think again.