Attorney General's News Release

January 9, 2008

Nixon invites consumers to bring toys to be screened for lead in St. Louis Friday and Saturday

St. Louis, Mo. — St. Louis-area residents will have an opportunity to get their children’s toys screened for lead at two events in the area this week. With many households full of new toys from the holidays, and with all the concern about the recalls of 2007, parents may be wondering if their children’s toys are safe.

Attorney General Jay Nixon invites parents to bring up to three toys to:

• St. Louis Community College at Forest Park, South Bay of the Cafeteria, 5600 Oakland Ave., Friday, Jan. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley, Child Development Center, 3400 Pershall Road, Saturday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The toys will be screened using a scanner made specifically for detecting lead content in toys. The scanners will be operated by lab technicians from ATC Associates in St. Louis. The events are sponsored by Nixon’s office, ATC, St. Louis Community College, Thermo-Fisher Scientific and the St. Louis Lead Prevention Coalition.

Millions of toys made in China were recalled in 2007 because of lead, and Nixon says there may be millions more that have not yet been tested by toy companies or government agencies.

“The time to find out if your kids’ toys are safe is now, rather than to wait for a recall,” Nixon said. “We’ve known for decades that lead exposure poses serious health hazards, and last year’s recalls have many Missourians questioning the safety of the toys they buy.”

Nixon offers an online recall clearinghouse at his Web site, ago.mo.gov, which provides links to government agencies involved in recalls of toys, food, medicine and other consumer products. Consumers with questions can call the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818