|
|
|
Lead Toy Safety
December 21, 2007
|
When it comes to a Christmas list for her new baby Lilly, Debbie Hixenbaugh hopes
to keep it simple this year. “It’s definitely going to be a lot of things that she
would want to put in her mouth and grasp, a lot of teething toys,” she says. But
Debbie is concerned that some children’s products may not be healthy for her youngest
daughter. “They’re recalling potty seats that have led paint on them. I don’t want
to put my child on anything or have her come in contact with anything that could
be hazardous to her.” While many physicians say there is cause for concern, they
also want parents to know they shouldn’t be worrying themselves too much over the
issue. Dr. Alan Tannenbaum is a physician
with Lee Memorial Health System. He says, “The amount of led in the paint is very small. You would have to consume such an
amount of toy product to
make a difference, but certainly that said any small amount
of led can be dangerous for a child.” But when it comes to your most precious gifts,
your children, he says it’s better to be safe than sorry. “Children do put things
in their mouth, they don’t know any better. Certainly, whatever they put in their
mouth you don’t want it to be toxic even if the potential is there, you certainly
don’t want your child putting something in their mouth that could cause harm.” Debbie
says no matter how small the risk she still plans on being extra careful. “You don’t
think to look to see what the led content is. You don’t think that it’s going to
have led in it period or at least a substantial amount so it’s definitely something
I will look out for.” Physicians are able to identify led poisoning in children
using things like x-rays and blood tests. |
|
|
|
