NTDTV Target Pulls Lead-Contaminated Teddy Bears Made in China

The U.S. retail chain Target is pulling Valentine’s Day teddy bears from its shelves after illegal levels of lead were discovered in some of its materials. The product was made in China.

The “Message Bear” is holding letters with lead levels of almost 10 times the legal limit in products for children under 12 years of age.

Researchers from the Center for Environmental Health, a California-based nonprofit watchdog, notified the attorney general about the product.

[Carolyn Cox, Center for Environmental Health, Research Director]:
“The bear that we sent to the laboratory for testing, the red plastic contained 2,690 parts per million (lead). It’s roughly nine times the federal standard.”

California Attorney General Jerry Brown requested Target to immediately stop selling the bears, and refund anyone who had already brought one, even if they did not have a receipt.

Lead accumulates in the body and can disrupt brain development in children. It can lead to learning and behavioral problems.

[Carolyn Cox, Center for Environmental Health, Research Director]:
“Children can end up with potentially permanent changes in their brain, make it harder for them to do well in school, and have more behavior problems like ADHD.”

Ms. Cox says consumers can be reassured the law is working, because extensive monitoring of products for children are becoming safer in the U.S. than before.

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