Comments on: How to Test Toys for Lead Step-by-Step in Photos

By: AJ

AJ — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:32:14 +0000

However, Consumer Reports has found the tests have value:
http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/10/leadtesting.html

The Consumer Products Safety Commission is not exactly a reliable trustworthy organization in my book. Some might say it's conflicted about who is exists to serve.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 17:28:04 +0000

Unfortunately, the Consumer Products Safety Commission does not approve these swab type test kits as reliable. In fact they are often unreliable and lead to false positives. The only way to accurately and cost effectively test these toys is with the use of an XRF device.

Our company conducts in home screenings of toys and playthings with an XRF system. Don't waste your time and money with the kits you can buy at Home Depot.

Read this CPSC Report for more on the topic:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08038.html

By: Jamie Pokusa

Jamie Pokusa — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:15:22 +0000

Intertek Provides Toy Safety Testing, Inspection and Evaluation

http://www.intertek.com/consumergoods

Children’s safety is the principal concern of every parent and the responsibility of the whole community. We should provide both a safe home and the safest possible environment for children everywhere. Juvenile products and toys in general should always be tested, inspected, and assessed by third party service providers to ensure there are no potential risks or hazards that could be overlooked by the naked eye.

As the leading international provider of quality and safety services to both global and local industries, Intertek works with clients to enhance the design, safety and quality of juvenile products and toys everywhere. Our unique testing services ensure product compliance in accordance with international standards including the US Code of Federal Regulations Title 16, ASTM F963, the Labeling of Hazardous Art Materials, European Standards EN 71 & EN 50088, European Directives, and more.

By: Mighty Mom

Mighty Mom — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:06:56 +0000

This site helped me a lot in securing my child’s health and well being! This is the most reliable site I have found. (Even after searching Google and Ask!)

By: Shea

Shea — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:33:50 +0000

Phil had a great idea – set up a website where parents can share their lead test results with one another. Does any one know of a website like this ? Unfortunately, I don’t know how to set up a website or even how to search for one like this… so I will ask the question here!

By: Mercedes Redman

Mercedes Redman — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:54:47 +0000

Good question, Jeddo.
I am a little confused: the instructions say that if the swab remains yellow the test is negative and I can proceed to the next test, but they also say that I should set the swab aside after each test because color development may take as long as an hour. Should I perform two tests with each swab or not?

By: Jeddo Woods

Jeddo Woods — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 04:19:01 +0000

I’m wondering if there has been any relationship with lead poisoning to the startling increase in autism in recent years ? Is there a correlation in the increase of autism to the increase in products bought from China?

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:46:09 +0000

Great idea to create a spreadsheet to track this.

Even better if someone would set up a website and collect everyone's results and make them available. We could all share results and cut the expense of testing everything.

Wouldn't that start a media mess!!!

By: AJ

AJ — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:51:06 +0000

Concerned Mom, Consumer Reports tested five lead kits and found, "If lead concentrations are low, these swabs can take up to 2 hours to change color, but in CR's tests, high concentrations produced immediate results."

http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2007/10/leadtesting.html

By: Concerned Mom

Concerned Mom — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:13:30 +0000

I ordered a set of leadcheck swabs directly from the manufacturer. They included an insert that said that you must leave the liquid sit on the test surface for an hour because it can take that long to develop a pink color. Every toy I have tested, all from major companies...but most made in China...have tested positive on the surface after the liquid has been in contact for several minutes. None of them tested positive on the swab within the two minutes that it says to use the swab. When you did your testing did you wait for an hour? The full instructions are on the leadcheck website. http://leadcheck.com/PB-25Toys.shtml
We have contacted leadcheck and they claim that any pink/red color that develops on the surface during any time frame indicates the presence of lead. The US product safety commission told my husband that the only way to know if there are dangerous levels of lead (why is there any acceptable level of lead?) is to send the toy to a private lab for testing...you then lose your child's favorite toy even if it is negative for lead. If anybody has had any experience with accurate testing please let parents know...I feel as if there is no option but to remove all the toys from my children...I'm not even sure if I trust toys made in the USA since regulations allow a low level of lead. We are taking our two year old for a blood test on Tuesday and hope all parents do the same.