One year and not much has happened. High lead levels were still found in toys from major department stores. US lead standards are designed for products targeted towards kids 13 or younger, they do not apply for products targeted towards those that are older.

“In addition to the Mattel and Disney products, CEH found levels of lead in violation of the new federal law in a Dora the Explorer game set, two children’s shoes, a child’s poncho, and a child’s belt. Of the seven products CEH found with high lead levels, the Disney jewelry and Mattel bike set had the highest lead levels. The amount of lead found in the seven products ranged from twice the legal limit of 300 parts per million (ppm) to more than 65 times the legal limit.”

Last year, the non profit Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has found high lead levels in jewelry purchased from major retailers. Levels that exceed the Prop 65 consumer protection law.

“Oakland, CA-The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) announced today that it has found high lead levels in jewelry purchased from major retailers, including WalMart, Banana Republic, Lane Bryant, Express, Anchor Blue, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Longs Drugs (now part of CVS Caremark pharmacies).”

Be careful of what you purchase!

Cadmium is a carcinogen, lead is a toxic, as are the other contaminates.

It is believed that these toxic metals are turning up because irresponsible recyclers are melting down computer parts and other e-waste and using them in these products.

January 2010 update: Cadmium is another problem area.

Protect yourself

They are also hosting free lead toy testing events in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Consumer Product Safety Commision has a list of recalled items.

Buy a do it at home lead testing kit.