Las Vegas NowI-Team: Children's Toys Put to the Test for Toxic Lead

I-Team: Children's Toys Put to the Test for Toxic Lead

It seems like a new toy recall is issued every other week. And with the holidays just around the corner, many parents are left to wonder what -- if anything -- is safe to buy.

If you look at two piles, it's impossible to tell which one has leaded toys, so to speak -- unless you test them, which Eyewitness News did. You may be surprised to see what is still on store shelves.

Instead of shopping for sales or selection, the Channel 8 I-Team shops for safety. At a dollar store, a toy store and a discount store, we scour the shelves for toys not found on any recall list.

With a budget of $250, we buy name brands and off brands -- all made in China. Then we take our loot to UNLV's Environmental Health laboratory for testing.

Check Eyewitness News toy test results

Dr. Shawn Gerstenberger supervises lead research at the university. "The unfortunate part is there's no way to know by looking. You can't see lead. You just can't look at it and go this is leaded, this is unleaded because of the shape or the color, or the size or the manufacturer. You have to pretty much test it, and that's where it's so problematic.

Using a digital lead analyzer called an XRF, graduate student Erika Torres tests each toy. Like the cowboy playset. The vest and the buckle contain trace amounts of lead, below governmental safety standards. The badge, however, registers 5.38 -- more than five times the acceptable level.

"If that was lead-based paint in the home, it would exceed the standard five times and there would have to be some sort of abatement or removal. But since it's in a toy, the actions are voluntary recall," said Gerstenberger.

Toy trains have topped many recall lists of late, so we checked a variety. The Fisher Price Geo Trax Lights and Sounds Vehicle scored a safe reading.

But the Thomas and Friends battery operated Molly with Track logged more than double the safety standard. As did the Imaginarium Three Piece Wooden Train Set.

Our worst offenders -- the Bob the Builder Hardhat had more than 300 times the acceptable lead level. The Frankenstein Halloween Mask -- more than 45 times. And the Yellow Wiffle Balls -- nine times.

"It can be incorporated directly into the product, which is much harder to get out. It's not going to flake off or peel off or leach as easily, but that doesn't mean it's not a hazard. They could still put in their mouths and chew on it or swallow it, especially with small items," said Gerstenberger.

Like the Barbie the Island Princess Light-Up Jewelry. Pieces of it registered a 3.6 or more than three times the lead paint standard.

Public health experts point to children's jewelry as a significant threat after a child died last year from swallowing a leaded charm.

Of the 33 items we tested, 16 or just less than half, exceeded the government's lead paint standard.

Though some toy makers and retailers have begun voluntary testing, inspections by the Consumer Product Safety Commission have declined in recent years. And there is no established federal limit on lead in children's products.

"Very, very small amounts of lead can cause long-term damage. Thankfully, it's preventable. And it we remove it from items that we put in our mouth or that we give to kids under 6, seems like a very logical first step," said Gerstenberger.

We should tell you the CPSC takes issue with our results. It argues the lead paint standard does not apply to plastics because unlike paint, lead in plastics is not "accessible" -- to use their word.

Of course the folks at the university and the Southern Nevada Health District disagree. They argue -- as do most experts -- there is no safe level for lead. It just doesn't belong in toys.

So what should we as parents do?

First -- pay attention to the recalls and toss those toys. Don't donate them to charity.

Second -- don't assume toys are safe for your child to put in their mouth. And wash kids' hands after play.

Third -- have your children tested for lead. It's a simple, inexpensive blood test.

Finally -- consider contacting your state and federal representatives and demanding better regulations and tougher standards.

Email your comments to Investigative Reporter Colleen McCarty.