Run by

The LEAD Group Inc
The Lead Education and Abatement Design Group
Working to eliminate lead poisoning globally and to protect the
environment from lead in all its uses: past, current and new uses
ABN 25 819 463 114
Australians! Take action
today. Is lead harming
you & your kids? Buy low
cost, NATA accredited
laboratory lead test kits
here. Sample your dust,
soil, water, paint, toys,
jewellery, ceramics
what's new 

Water Lead test Kits

Proceeds from our DIY Home Lead Assessment kit sales go towards the
Keeping Australian Lead Out of Leaded Petrol Initiative.

Search this site
 
Search tips 
What's New

About Us
bell system lead poisoning
Contact Us
Council Lead Project
egroups
Library-Fact Sheets
Home Page
Media Releases
Newsletters
Q&A
Referral Lists
Reports
Site Map
Slide Shows-Films
Subscribe-Donate
Useful Links

Visitor Number

 

QUESTION: What do I do if my children have played with the recalled Thomas the Tank Engine toys? - 18 Jun 2007 Victoria, Australia

Recently there has been a recall on various Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Wooden Railway items due to lead paint being detected on surface. My 3yr old and 1 yr old have several of these trains and items - they play with these daily - handling them constantly and putting their fingers in their mouths, and have had them for over 1 year. I have collected all the recalled items for return however am very concerned on whether there has been a health impact on my children eg. lead poisoning. My 3 year especially shows signs of hyperactivity, behavioural problems, sometimes a reduced attention span, stuttered at the age of 2 1/2 and although now not stuttering, his speech clarity is not that great and not always understood. These may be normal developmental stages but am not convinced now due to the exposure he has had to these recalled items. What should I do?

ANSWER: 07 Apr 2007

Dear Madam,

you definitely need to take both the children to the doctor and request a blood lead test and don't take "no" for an answer. Your doctor may take the blood or send you to a pathology clinic but if you are sent to a pathology clinic, it is wise to request a referral to the Children's Hospital pathology where they have staff who take blood from kids all the time. You can buy an Emla Patch over the counter from the chemist and as long as it's been on the skin inside the elbow for an hour before the blood is taken, it will really cut down the pain.

Please let me know how you go. It is ridiculous if the newspaper articles and recall notices don't include this simple and straightforward advice - the only way to know how much lead exposure has occurred is to do a blood lead test.

I'll send you our Info Pack on the dangers of a blood lead level above 2 micrograms per decilitre, so that you can understand the results you receive, but do make sure you get the results in writing, including the unit.

All the best

Yours Sincerely

Elizabeth O’Brien

About Us | bell system lead poisoning | Contact Us | Council LEAD Project | egroups | Library - Fact Sheets | Home Page | Media Releases
Newsletters
| Q & A | Referral lists | Reports | Site Map | Slide Shows - Films | Subscription | Useful Links |  Search this Site
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

Last Updated 18 September 2012
Copyright © The LEAD Group Inc. 1991- 2012
PO Box 161 Summer Hill NSW 2130 Australia
Phone: +61 2 9716 0014