The Washington Public Interest Research Group (WASHPIRG) recently performed a study of the spinners metal content and found that lead levels are 330 times higher than is allowed for toys for kids. However, the spinners are being marketed as suitable for 14 years and older which makes them a “general use product” and not classified as a toy. As such, they do not fall under the jurisdiction of toy regulations that stop at the age of 12.
Elsie Orlick of WASHPIRG states emphatically that it was no secret that spinners are being sold to all ages ranging from three-year old’s and up. Out of six spinners that were lab tested, two contained unsafe levels of toxic lead. She went on to state that kids tend to but the toys, putting them in their mouth quite often. The paint chips off, and the child is in danger of lead poisoning.
Katherine Carr from Northwest Pediatric Unit stated that “When we know that there are sources in a kid’s environment when there is legitimately a source that has a higher concentration, the best advice is to remove that from the child’s environment,”
The spinners and manufacturers claim that not all the spinners have lead in them, only the brass ones, most spinners are either plastic or steel.
Healthychildren.org published the following statement “Protecting children from exposure to lead is important to lifelong good health. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. The most important step parents, pediatricians, and others can take to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.”
While the CDC posted on its pages “Though lead can be found in many sources, lead exposure is entirely preventable. The key is stopping children from coming into contact with lead and treating children who have been poisoned by lead. Parents can take simple steps to make their homes more lead-safe.
Children can be given a blood test to measure the level of lead in their blood. Talk to your child’s doctor if you are concerned about lead exposure.”
