Mattel Recall blown way out of proportion?

Question

Lead paint is hazardous and can be fatal, we all know. However, how many people died or even suffered because of the toys? Some of these toys have been out for months and millions have bought them yet we do not hear of anyone dying from lead poisoning or from swallowing magnets. Regardless, the media makes it seem as if entire states have been wiped out because these toys. What is even more embarrassing is the flagrant slandering of Chinese manufacturing. I find this very convenient considering the big talk that China is poised to overthrow the US as the world's most powerful economy. The issue is no longer that innocent children may die but that the Chinese are irresponsible and their products are sub-standard. This is a low blow coming from the US media and government.

I am not denying the hazard that these toys pose but the US media have cheaply piggy-backed on this issue and turned it into a huge propaganda against the Chinese.

http://consumerproductrecalls.blogspot.com/

Answer 1

From what I hear Mattel has lot of experience working in China and Mattel is one of the most aggressive testers of its toys in the industry. I think experts agree there are probably lot toys with lead out there and its hard to tell how harmful they are. But Mattel is the one doing testing more than others. So catching more defected toys. But if you don't know which toy is tainted you'll just never know what the effects are of those toys on kids. Because you just don't know where these toys are and what happened to kids who played with them.

With Chinese Olympics game coming up in 2008. I think we'll see lot more of these recalls and China stories.

Answer 2

Ummm...did you not hear about the BIG pet food recall that caused many pets to be extremely sick or die. Well, that food that was riddled with RAT POISON was from China. And now lead toys? DUH. If someone hasn't died yet from injesting lead in the toys (you don't know for sure if anyone has or not) then they possibly could. Lead is extremely hazardous and you know it, would you want your two year old slobbering all over a toy that you know is made of lead? They have been reckless lately with their exports, whether you like it or not. So what if they pass us as the most powerful economy? We know the economy sucks, we know Bush took us from a large surplus to an even larger deficit. So?

Answer 3

The Chinese have demonstrated in the past... the RECENT past... the tremendous corruption that permeates their culture. The previous head of their "FDA" was EXECUTED after having been found guilty of taking over $800,000 in bribes which lead to all those pet food, etc. deaths and problems. There is no doubt the same sort of bribary problem in the general manufacturing sector of China. Their economy is growing by leaps and bounds since they've "opened" themselves to western trade. However, their political structure, which CONTROLS EVERYTHING... remember they are STILL a communist society... is so corrupt, it is going to be the downfall of their society... as it was for the Soviet Union.

We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg. More and more will come crashing down... it is an IMplosion of their system.

Can any of you say MOO GOO GAI PAN????

Answer 4

Its all media hype. "Watch out - your kids are in danger!"
Thats the best way to get people to tune into the news and boost ratings. Notice - everything seems to center around danger towards our children?
Yeah- lead in pant on toys or whatever is bad for kids.
But.....if it was nearly as bad as they are carrying on most of us would have never made it past 5. I grew up playing with toys painted with lead, and in a house which had lead in the paint (and probably still does). Im still alive and well.

Answer 5

Lead does not have an instant effect unless you practically swim in it. Children chew on toys and over time it absorbs in their body. Later they will have reduced IQ and possibly cancer (much later if they get enough of it). Sometimes it builds up and causes death, but that takes years. Usually it kills brain cells and the child is "slow".

Much of the recall is about magnets and some children died from the magnets from other companies which ripped through their intestines. Several others had major surgery.

This is a serious issue. Kids who are older and do not put stuff in their mouth may not have issues, but if they have younger brothers and sisters that is a problem.