Keeping Your Child Safe from Lead in Products

Products Made in the US and made to be used by children

• Must meet minimum safety standards
• Example: Crayola Crayons

Products Made in the US and made to be used by adults

• Must be labeled as potential hazard if known
• Example: Grecian Formula, Decorative dishes
• Recent items making the news for possible violations of labeling laws: candle wicks, keys

Products Made outside the US for distribution here:

• Voluntary compliance
• If meets US safety codes, may contain a packaging label such as "Conforms to ASTM 4236." Should be safe to use.
• Example: Penway Crayons, Mexican Candy 

Some other labels seen that may indicate a safe product:

• non-toxic
• safe for small children
• does not contain lead

Products may be evaluated for "bio-availability" of lead and other possible toxins under normal use conditions. If no apparent hazard is found, no labeling is required.

Route of Exposure - Lead must have a way to get into the body to be a problem

• Direct "mouthing" or chewing on items
• Food preparation, serving, or storage products can leach lead from designs, glazes, plastics, pewter, brass, lead crystal
• acid foods like apple sauce, juice, tomato-based foods
• breakdown of the surface from repeated use, wear, improper use

Read Labels Before Purchase - Look for safety codes

Use Your Best Judgment in Choosing Items - Choose one that has a safety label over one that does not have any labeling

Use the Item Correctly - If it says not to microwave or wash in a dishwasher, don't. If it is made to be used by an adult, don't let a child play with it.

Dispose of or Limit the Use of Items that May Present a Hazard

Don't Give your Toddler Items to Chew on that were Not Made for the Purpose - keys, jewelry and household decorative knick-knacks