Today, I was informed, by someone who follows the news, that several Thomas the Tank Engine toys have been recalled by RC2 Corporation. Apparently, many of the toys (mostly red- and yellow-painted, wooden trains) contain lead paint. Lead paint is toxic if ingested. The recalled trains date back to January 2005.
I’m extremely confident that, over the past two years, my not-quite-two-year-old has never, ever put his beloved James, James’ Tender, or the ever-popular caboose into his mouth. Not to teethe, not to taste, not even just for the hell of it. Children have an instinctual aversion against putting anything shiny and red into their mouths. Nothing red is ever delicious.
Nevertheless, I felt compelled to follow the recommendation to “take the recalled toys away from young children immediately.” In retrospect, maybe ripping the tainted trains out of their eager hands wasn’t the best way to deliver the news. Especially, since our 1920s home in industrial Massachusetts was probably built on a foundation composed of 100% lead. And asbestos. So, what’s another goddamned day after two years.
I really can’t wait to see what else China has in store for us.
What, you're not feeding him dog food, are you??!!
Posted by: cookiecrumb | June 15, 2007 at 05:19 PM
Oh yeah, plus, I've been feeding him cat food. Forgot about that. So what's a little lead paint garnish.
Posted by: Tammy | June 15, 2007 at 05:29 PM
I grew up with lead paint and I can stil mike misulf undastod.
Posted by: Cottage Smallholder | June 15, 2007 at 06:54 PM
I KNOW!!! Thank God Archie's too little for Thomas but now I worry every time he puts, say, the container for the wipes in his mouth, or the edge of the toy box - it seems like anything that isn't specifically labeled as safe for 6 months or as a teething toy is seething with lead these days! Did you also hear the thing on NPR about the grandma who went around and tested baby things (not toys - the bit I heard was bibs) with lead test kits and found enormous amounts of lead in them?
The Chinese manufacturers just don't give a shit about American babies, do they? (I mean, I guess, why would they - most Americans don't give a shit about Chinese babies, either, but at least they're not actively trying to kill them...)
Posted by: heath | June 16, 2007 at 12:23 AM
Hi I'm Troy McClure. You might remember me from such educational films as "Here Comes the Metric system!" and "Lead Paint, Delicious but Deadly!"
Posted by: Husband | June 18, 2007 at 09:19 AM
Troy: Apparently, lead paint is just fine for our youth. But the metric system? Very, very bad.
Heath: Hmmmm...I wonder why outsourcing everything is so much cheaper?
CS: Do you think I can blame confusing my lefts and rights on lead paint exposure? I'd really like to blame it on something.
Posted by: Tammy | June 19, 2007 at 02:49 PM