A Massachusetts firm has agreed to pay a $200,000 fine for importing toys with dangerous levels of lead paint. The firm was fined by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for violating federal law and importing the noncompliant toys. Imported toys include Curious George, Thomas and Friends and Winnie the Pooh.
The CPSC alleged that the company should have known that the toys did not meet the lead paint standard in 2002 but imported the tens of thousands of toys anyway. The company also did not immediately report the contaminated toys to the government and distributed them to retailers. By agreeing to the settlement the company denies any wrongdoing.
Lead poisoning is especially dangerous with children because they are much more susceptible to ingest higher levels of lead than when compared to adults. Dangerous levels of lead poisoning can lead to brain swelling, kidneys problems, coma, convulsions, and even death.
