Editorial: ‘Buyer beware’ still true

Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007 | 6:56 a.m.

A government toy-shopping advisory sent out Tuesday struck a tone of optimism that consumer groups say is not yet warranted.

The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a news release that agreements have been signed with China that will help prevent lead-painted toys from reaching U.S. stores.

Also stated in its release was that the agency is "taking the action needed to remove violative products from the marketplace."

Warnings that potential toy hazards remain and that shoppers should be vigilant in the wake of recalls of millions of toys made in China were also included.

Nevertheless, the release could be interpreted by some that all is now under control in the world of retail toys.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group, whose annual report, "Trouble in Toyland," was also published Tuesday, correctly warns against such a view.

"Consumers can still find lead-laden children's jewelry and lead-painted toys on store shelves," the group's consumer program director, Ed Mieswinski, said.

This was proved by a California public interest group, Oakland-based Center for Environmental Health, which recently examined 100 toys purchased at national chain stores. Fifteen contained unhealthy levels of lead.

Even low levels of lead in children can cause learning and growth problems, irritability, hyperactivity, loss of appetite and lack of interest in play, according to the Mayo Clinic.

As lead builds up in the body of either a child or an adult, symptoms can include fatigue, muscle weakness, vomiting, nausea, headaches, stomach pains and diarrhea.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission, under the Bush administration, has been passive in fighting hazards such as lead. That is why shoppers this holiday season need to be more diligent than usual in educating themselves about toy hazards so they can make informed decisions.