Hobbies And Interests
Effects
During play, children tend to place toy parts or their fingers into their mouths which could lead to direct ingestion of lead. Lead poisoning is among the most severe potential effects of children's exposure to lead in toys. Other possible effects include developmental issues, especially in the brain, and also kidney damage.
Speculation
It is speculated that manufacturers use lead-based materials in producing toys because they are inexpensive. Also, since the foreign countries who export toys to the United States are not subject to American health and safety regulations, the manufacturing practice of using lead-based materials is not often reprimanded.
Prevention/Solution
Parent who are concerned about their children's toys should frequently check the Consumer Product Safety Commission's list of recalls. Lead is not visible to the naked eye, so there is no way to detect it without laboratory testing.