The Consumer Product Safety Commission has a live-updating dataset of consumer product recalls, along with metadata about the reason for the recall. Lead in particular can induce life-long problems, especially in children. Studies have shown that unsafe levels of lead in the blood can lead to 3-6 point decreases in an individuals IQ, in addition to myriad other health problems.
Unfortunately, lead is still all too common in the consumer products we regularly buy. It’s so bad that since 2010, more than 1.7 million products have gone into the marketplace that were later recalled because of unsafe levels of lead.
By Volume, the vast majority of these products were manufactured in China.
5 Most Common Products Sold Since 2010 Containing Lead
6″ Aflac Plush Promotional Ducks (600,000 Units)(Phthalates and Lead)
The official statement from the CPSC was:
“Components of the recalled promotional ducks contain levels of certain phthalates that exceed the federal phthalate content standard. A component of the promotional fishing duck also contains a level of lead that exceeds the federal lead content standard. Phthalates and lead are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.”
These items were given or sold to Aflac employees and licensed agents from Feb 2009 to March 2021. They were also distributed as free promotional giveaways to customers. Hundreds of these items are still being sold on eBay, and have become collectible. Sadly, we couldn’t find any eBay listings mentioning this product’s recall status, and the fact that it contains toxic lead and phthalates.
Ceramic Piggy and Lion Banks (200,000 Units)(Lead in Paint)
The official statement from CPSC was:
“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.”
These items were sold online at www.orientaltrading.com and www.funexpress.com and through Oriental Trading Company and Fun Express catalogs from February 2003 through September 2010. Thankfully, these seem difficult to find to purchase secondhand today online. However, with so many out in the wild, you might expect to see these commonly at garage sales or thrift shops.
FGX Children’s Sunglasses (Cars Movie and Similar Branded)(215,000 Units)(Lead Paint)
The official statement from CPSC was:
“Surface paint on the sunglasses contains excessive levels of lead, which is prohibited under federal law.”
CPSC goes on to list the following branded sunglasses as impacted: Cars, John and the Never Land Pirates, Doc McStuffins, Sears/Kmart Private Label, Marvel Spiderman, Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. These sunglasses were sold at Bon Ton, CVS, K-mart, Rite-Aid, Walgreens and other retail stores nationwide from December 2013 to March 2014.
Circo 17″ Children’s Travel Case (139,000 Units)(Lead Paint)
The official statement from CPSC was:
“The surface coating on the travel cases contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.”
The items impacted were the girls pink and teal with heart/butterfly/daisy patterns and the boys version with three jet planes in red/blue/green on a red or blue airplane background. There are undoubtedly many of these still in the wild considering the length of usage for most luggage. These were sold at Target stores nationwide and Target.com from April 2011 through August 2011.
Boy Scout Neckerchief Slides (110,00 Units)(Lead Enamel)
The official statement from CPSC was:
“The colored enamel on the neckerchief slides contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content”
The brass neckerchief slides were sold in four styles: red wolf, green bear, orange lion and blue Webelos. They were sold exclusively at Boy Scouts of America retail stores and authorized distributors nationwide and online at www.scoutshop.org from February 2018 through August 2018. With more than 110,000 units out there in the wild, this one is particularly concerning given the tendency for some young boys to absentmindedly chew on things. It seems easy to imagine some Boy Scouts put these toxic neckerchief slides in their mouths.
The Next 20 Most Common Lead Containing Consumer Products:
| Units Sold/Distributed | Description |
| 90,000 | Girl’s Clothing Recalled by My Michelle Due to Risk of Lead Exposure |
| 78,000 | Boy Scouts of America Recalls Cub Scout Activity Pins Due to Violation of the Federal Lead Content Ban |
| 75,000 | EKSuccess Brands Recalls American Girl Crafts Jewelry Kit Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 52,900 | Hasbro Recalls Super Soaker XP 20 and XP 30 Water Blasters Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban; Sold Exclusively at Target |
| 31,200 | BSN SPORTS Recalls Rubber Critter Toys Due to Violation of Federal Lead Paint Ban (Recall Alert) |
| 26,500 | Build-A-Bear Workshop Recalls Lapel Pins Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 20,645 | Children’s Tool Kits Recalled by Grizzly Industrial Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban and Toy Safety Requirements |
| 15,200 | Pottery Barn Kids Recalls Avengers and Darth Vader Water Bottles Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 9,700 | Porter World Trade Recalls Ron Jon Surf Shop Sippy Cup Due to Violations of Federal Lead Content and Phthalates Bans |
| 9,500 | Avalon Furniture Recalls Cottage Town Bedroom Furniture Sold at Rooms To Go Due to Violation of Federal Lead Paint Ban; Risk of Poisoning (Recall Alert) |
| 7,300 | Youth Tiara Recalled by Wilton Industries Due to Lead Exposure Hazard |
| 7,000 | Northern Tool + Equipment Recalls Little Digger Toy Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 7,000 | Mexican Wrestling Action Figures Recalled by Lee Carter Co. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 6,970 | Captain Cutlass Pirate Toy Guns Recalled by Dillon Importing Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 6,200 | Children’s Apparel Network Recalls Fleece Hoodie and T-Shirt Sets Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard; Sold Exclusively at Target |
| 4,600 | Baby’s Dream Recalls Cribs and Furniture Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 4,450 | “S T U F F” and Paw Wall Hooks Recalled By Midwest-CBK Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard |
| 3,700 | Discount School Supply Recalls Sorting Boards Due to Magnet Ingestion Risk and Excessive Lead Levels (Recall Alert) |
| 3,200 | Lilly of New York Children’s Winter Boots Recalled by Kidz Concepts Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban; Sold Exclusively at Zulily.com (Recall Alert) |
| 3,200 | RH Recalls Children’s Chairs and Stools Due to Violation of Federal Lead Paint Ban |
The Vast Majority of These Products are Coming from China
Perhaps not surprising, since so many of our consumer products come from China, but it’s still a stark reminder that corners are often cut and safety best practices not followed by producers in China. It’s also a reminder that even the biggest brands are not immune from allowing this to happen.
Methodology
The data used here came from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s data on recalled consumer products. Data reviewed was between 01/01/2010 and 08/03/2022. The data was filtered to only products with lead as a reason for the recall. Future posts will explore the other toxic contaminants in popular and common household consumer products.