A huge Fischer-Price toy recall was announced yesterday. Over 1 million toys made in China may contain excessive amounts of lead paint which as you know is toxic to small children and infants. The toys were sold between May and August, 2007 and represent Nickelodeon and Sesame Street characters.

Here are the key links to sort out if you have the toys being recalled:
Mattel Recall Information Page
List of Nickelodeon and Sesame Street Toys with the Lead Paint Hazard

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all kids get screened for lead between the ages of 1-2. Some kids may get screened again if they live in older homes depending on their risk. If you have these toys at home, and your kids have not played with the toys, you have little to worry about. However, if your kids have been playing with these toys, there still may be nothing to worry about. If your kids have been playing with the toys properly, there is little risk to them. The risk comes when they ingest the lead paint. So, it's the small kids who put the toys in their mouths or who crawl on the floor near the toys where some paint may have chipped off.

If you have one of the recalled toys, follow the procedure for returning the toy, clean your floors well to remove any dust from the toy that may have rubbed off the toy, and call your pediatrician. Likely nothing more will need to be done but your pediatrician can sort through with you based on the ages of your kids and how your kids were playing with the toy whether a lead test is needed or not. But, don't worry too much, it takes a huge amount of exposure to lead to get lead poisoning. If the toy looks intact, the exposure is likely very low if at all.

Here are some lead poisoning resources which may help allay any more concerns you may have:

Information on Lead Poisoning
Testing for Lead Poisoning

Image: Mattel Web Site