 |
 |
The China Syndrome Lead-filled Products in the Marketplace Although lead-based paint was banned in the United States in 1978 due to adverse health effects in children, Mattel’s heavily-publicized product recalls have put lead product content back into the public consciousness, particularly with products made in China. Because lead is a heavy, soft and nearly indestructible metal that occurs naturally under the Earth’s surface, manufacturers have used it over the years in products ranging from paint to batteries to pipes. And while China’s productivity and efficiency have provided the low cost products American consumers crave, foreign safety standards often do not meet the U.S. standards that we take for granted. Products that we purchase through our affiliation with Ace are subject to two independent testing in U.S. laboratories to determine lead content. Be aware that most lead poisoning stil occurs in the home from deteriorating painted surfaces during remodeling or painting projects; three quarter’s of the nation’s houses still contains lead painted surfaces. To check the surfaces or products in your home, Cole Hardware offers testing kits: A four-test kit for 7.99 (Sku 1001924) and six-test kit for 11.99 (Sku 5272810- pictured above). Be an alert consumer and watch out for recalls on products you have purchased. - Hardware Hotline November, 2007
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BACK
TOP