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ALERT ON ‘BENDABLE TOYS’ DISTRIBUTED DURING SUMMER READING PROGRAM Mercer County Library System asking patrons to return toys The dog and the cat bendable toys were purchased from Highsmith, a company that supplies materials to libraries in 48 states that belong to the collaborative summer reading program. An alert began in Indiana, where State health officials issued a consumer health alert for the bendable animal toys that were given away at libraries around Indiana. Tests on the toys by Indiana health officials confirmed the lead content was higher than the maximum allowable under federal regulations. In October 2005, Highsmith tested the bendable dog and cat toys prior to distributing them and found the toys were within the federal regulations. New Jersey is one of 41 states who have issued a consumer health alert regarding the bendable toys. Along with posting the recall notice on the Mercer County Library System web site, webserver.mcl.org, and at each of the nine library branches, each patron of the summer reading program at the Hightstown, Hopewell, Lawrence, and Robbinsville branches will be notified by phone. The Hightstown branch distributed the toys during the weeks of July 3 and July 10; the Hopewell branch distributed the toys the weeks of July 3 and July 10; the Lawrence Branch distributed the toys during the week of July 10; and the Robbinsville branch was distributing the toys this week but stopped when the alert was issued. Anyone with specific questions regarding hazards of lead can find information on the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services web site at http://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/newborn/lead.shtlm . In addition, information can be obtained by calling the N.J. Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, at (609) 292-5666. The Highsmith Recall Notice August 10, 2006 Highsmith has recently had a lead content test completed on a sample of the Bendable Cat and Dog toys sold to public libraries through the Collaborative Summer Library Program. This test, completed by Analytical Process Laboratories Inc., Milwaukee, WI, confirmed an earlier report from the Indiana Board of Health that the lead content in these particular toys exceeds the maximum allowable limit under current federal regulations. The sample Highsmith tested registered .277% lead content. The Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Section 1303 stipulates that lead may constitute no more that .06% of the weight of the paint applied to a toy. At this time, Highsmith has discontinued sale of this item and recommends all libraries cease distribution of any remaining Bendable Cats and Dogs in their possession and issue a recall to all patrons who may have received this toy. To control the proper disposal of these Bendable Cats and Dogs, Highsmith requests that all customers contact them at 1-800-448-4887 to arrange for return shipment and to receive a credit or refund for the product cost. On October 14, 2005, prior to distributing these toys through the Collaborative Summer Library Program, Intertek Testing Services tested the Bendable that was to be distributed by Highsmith. The test reported that the Bendable was in compliance with the applicable federal code. Highsmith has documentation of this test in its possession. For more information on the hazards of lead, visit: http://www.cpsc.gov/BUSINFO/leadguid.html or http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/PrevLeadPoisoning.pdf Any questions should be directed to Matt Mulder, Director,Highsmith Publications at mmulder@highsmith.com orr (920) 563-9571 x381 |
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