Digital Journal — The fallout from this year’s toy recalls just got more heated: California’s attorney general is suing 20 companies, including Mattel (the company that makes the famous Barbie dolls) and Toys “R” Us, claiming they sold toys containing “unlawful quantities of lead.”
California’s lawsuit alleges that toy manufacturers knowingly exposed children to lead, a harmful chemical known to cause cancer and reproductive harm. If the suit wins favour with the court, the companies could pay a $2,500 per day fine for each violation, according to the bizjournals.com. Also, courts may order businesses to stop committing the violation.
The lawsuit follows major recalls of toys, children’s jewelry and other products in the past year by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in Washington. What began with the recall of 1.5 million Thomas the Tank Engine toys in June spiraled into a massive recall where 6 million different toys were sent back to manufacturers for excessive levels of lead.
California Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr commented on the lawsuit, saying: “Companies must take every reasonable step to assure that the products they handle are safe for children and their families and fully comply with the laws of California. Despite the lengthening global supply chain, every company that does business in this state must follow the law and protect consumers from lead and other toxic materials.”
The Center for Environmental Health told the Canadian Press the California lawsuit is necessary for an industry requiring more checks and balances: “Attorney General Brown’s decision to take on the toy companies is an important step toward cleaning up this industry.”
Other companies named in the lawsuit include Wal-Mart, Kmart, Target, Sears, KB Toys, Costco Wholesale, Eveready Battery Company, and Marvel Entertainment.
