Young children are most commonly exposed to lead in consumer products from direct mouthing of objects or handling the objects and then putting their hands in their mouths. Because lead accumulates in the body, even exposures to small amounts of lead can present health risks. Under the FHSA, toys or other articles intended for children that expose children to hazardous amounts of lead are banned. A household product not intended for children, but which poses a lead poisoning risk, requires precautionary labeling. While CPSC does not have the statutory authority to require companies to stop using lead in consumer products if the levels released are not hazardous, CPSC has asked companies to voluntarily eliminate lead from all products used in or around households, schools or in recreation.
Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of any lead substitutes.
According to TMA, which recently surveyed members of its safety committee, lead is not deliberately added to any toy product. In some instances where lead has been found in a toy product, most cases resulted because of suppliers not following the manufacturing specifications. We are now going beyond what the law requires, and eliminating lead from our products altogether. In the United States, TMA members represent about 85 percent of toy sales.