Children's Products Containing Lead or Lead Paint

• The Harm of Lead to Children

Lead is a trace element of the human body, a small amount of harmless to the human body, but excessive absorption of lead may cause insomnia, headache, forgetfulness, dizziness, hyperactivity and attention disorders. It has a greater impact on children than adults. The main manifestations are: 1. Affect the nervous system: daily exposure to lead in children can cause an average IQ decline of 2-5; 2. Have an impact on blood system: children with excessive lead can inhibit the hematopoietic function of bone marrow, and cause anemia due to dotted red blood cells, showing fatigue and pale complexion; 3. Affect digestive system: early manifestations are nausea, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, constipation and wandering abdominal pain; In addition, it may cause chronic nephritis, myocardial damage, and decreased antibodies in the immune system.

• Children’s Products

"Children's products" refers to the consumer products designed mainly for children who are not more than 12 years old. Such as toys, cradles, children's clothing and so on.

Figure1. Children’s products

• CPSIA Regulations for Children's Products Containing Lead and Lead Coatings

? In August 14, 2009, the lead content of coating was not higher than 0.009% (90 ppm).
In August 14th CAPIS 2011, the lead content of children's products was not higher than 0.01% (100 ppm).

• Materials That Need to Meet CPSIA Regulations

CPSIA's lead content requirements are specific to contactable materials, certain specialty materials and products, and certain electronic products. Contactability refers to the contact of a product, component or material with normal and foreseeable use and abuse by a child, including swallowing, introgression, destruction, aging, etc. In addition, there are many materials that do not need to be tested. Such as some gems, quasi-gems (as long as the mineral or material is not based on lead or lead compounds and is not related in nature to minerals based on lead or lead compounds), natural or cultured pearls, wood, paper and wood or other fibers similar products, CMYK color separation inks, textiles (natural fibers, rayon) and other substances extracted from animals or plants.

• Blood Lead Content

Lead poisoning is generally determined by measuring the amount of lead in the blood. The international diagnostic criteria for blood lead are as follows: Human normal blood lead levels are 0-99 μg/L, equal to or greater than 100 μg/L is considered as lead poisoning. Among them, 100-199 μg/L is lead poisoning, 200-249 μg/L is mild poisoning, 250-449 μg/L is moderate poisoning, and equal to or higher than 450 μg/L is severe poisoning.

• Methods for Preventing Lead Poisoning in Children

? Do not play while eating snacks, wash your hands before eating
Do not put a painted toy or utensil (such as a pencil stick) into the mouth
It is not recommended for babies to use colorful cups
When the food is packaged in a bag, the text, painting or trademark on the plastic bag should not be in direct contact with the food
Do not wrap food in newspapers or prints
Eat less or not eat processed popcorn, kebabs and so on
Do not paint the walls with paint at home
Avoid smoking in children's rooms
Pay attention to the nutritional status of children. A reasonable and balanced diet, especially the increase in calcium, zinc, iron, selenium, sulfur-containing amino acids and B-vitamins in the diet, is conducive to reducing the burden and harm of lead in the body

• Related Regulations

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)

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