Are the Chinese at all worried about the lead paint found in toys?

Question

We've all heard the big out cry from the Western world over the lead paint incident but what do you Chinese think.

The fact is, lead is a toxic substance that causes brain damage in young kids and cancer in adults. That is why has been banned form consumer products for over 30 years, so it’s not NEWS that this stuff is bad for the health.

But what do the Chinese think?

Do they think the lead paint is harmless? Aren't they concerned about their kids handling this substance, and that Chinese products are of such poor and even harmful standards? If the Chinese use it in toys now (30 years after the rest of the world banned it) what else are they using it in (House paint)?

I mean; here is a proven toxic substance that is used in consumer goods in China and thus far we haven't heard any complaints from the Chinese. Do they think it’s harmless? Are they okay with your kids handling this stuff?

Ok everyone. I'm not sure if you all are even reading the question because many of you are addressing subjects I'm not asking about.

Let me make it clear: I don't care about why or how lead paint was being used by the Chinese (but thank you for explaining it to us).

I'm wondering why the Chinese aren't concerned about how these toxic agents being used in toys made for their children. The Americans aren't just complaining about these the recent incident because they hate "Made in China", they are complaining because lead causes brain damage in Children, and the question is; why aren't the Chinese at all concerend about this?

Answer 1

"ilovetomato", you actually want him to prove that there was a big controversy over the lead painted toys? How about that massive recall in the US and Europe.
Do you live in a cave or something?

Anyways, I haven't heard any complaints from the Chinese. The problem is their too busy defending China's honor they forget the realities of how harmful lead paint is to children.

Chinese pride is a dangerous thing. I believe in this case they are actually willing to eat lead just to stick their thumbs at the Western world. Basically they're ignoring how important the fact that important safety issues are at hand, and just gun-ho about defending China's name……….very sad.

If this happened in the US, you would have a bunch of angry American mothers going to Washington DC to demand punishment and change. In China the people stand behind their government no matter what the issue is. It's like “yes great leader, I have no voice and I will support you”.

That's why I don't think we're hearing much from the Chinese.

I also feel very bad for all the Chinese who have to live with these products that are produced with such poor safty standard.


To weilongli2003:
Your answer was spoken like a true Chinese; selfish and inconsiderate.

"we don't care because we're not affected....other people and children might get hurt, but we don't care."

For those of you who don't live in China, that quote sums up the very definition of Chinese attitude towards others. No consideration for anyone outside of the inner circle. So sad..... so backwards.....so Chinese.

Gene H: I think you're one of those people that didn't read the question before answering.

Answer 2

I will answer this first as a foreigner living in China. And secondly as someone that happens to be in the coatings business in China.

The first thing you ask is why would they do it? Like you said for 100's of years we have known lead is not good for humans. And kids especially since they tend to put things in their mouth.

Two things combine here to create this problem. First is some culture. The guy who bought that paint and sent it into his factory did so because it was cheaper then buying the right material from the approved vendor. He did it because he could get away with it. As long as you get away with it, it is A-OK. Thats the way it works here. When you get caught, it is not the illness or deaths that they are feeling bad about. It is the shame of being exposed. Nothing is worse here than shame.

The other thing is simple economics. Leaded pigments are cheaper than the inorganic nonlead offsets. Cheaper products are the way life here. The strength of this economy is its ability to things cheaper. Not because of any great technical advancement they have made or efficiency gains. They are cheaper. There is less infrastructure, less regulations, less everything. Face it, that is why these factories are flourishing and the ones in the USA are being shut down. Every part of every process is scrutinized and every possible corner is cut. That red paint on the train is no exception. It looks like the standard they were given. If it looks ok, it must be okay. Quality is an invisible trait. They will not spend an extra cent on anything as intangible as that. UNLESS, their shipments are rejected and they don't get paid. But it appears that not too many spot checks were made by the importing company. Otehrwise, they would not have a few million toys on recall. You have to check chinese vendors on EVERY shipment. That is what I do. In 10 years I have recalled Zero gallons of paint.

I manufacture and sell paint here. I have an advanced product that is heads and shoulders better than anything a Chinese paint company can make. However, my price is higher. The local paint guy can give the purchasing manager at the toy factory $50 and a carton of cigarettes, and he gets the order. There is no test, no lead check, no nothing. What I get is some made up story about how my product won't work because it doesn't pass the dog urine test, or the some other bogus story. This is my life story the last 10 years. I just go onto the next customer and try again.

That is how leaded paint finds its way on to your toys.

Answer 3

i think the chinese people in majority are not to be blamed.

first of all, the people are not educated (by the government) on what is bad for them. the government is either to busy in developing the country or just plain ignoring facts that are counter productive. so, the 'people' in general grew up being told it is ok for this or that. what or how you expect them to respond or react??

i'm a parent. for you parents out there, here's a scenario for you. if you were told that X is dangerous and going to harm your children in long run, being a parent would you take the risks of using X ?? NO! So a lot of these people actually didn't know about it or are misinformed (especially in china where most family have only one child).

then, of course, there are those culprits that would do anything for a few more cents. those unscrupulous jerks are every where not just in china. it just happens that here in china they manage to get away with it more easily be it due to the inefficiency, inability or the reluctance of the government to monitor and enforce in such a large country.

Do not forget that the west had more than a hundred years to develop its legislations and enforcement to cope with the irresponsible business people. Here in china the government is trying to cope with what the west learned in hundred plus years and cramp it in twenty years.

you might not agree with me but my point here is;
DON'T BLAME THE CHINESE PEOPLE for so many faults.
it is the CHINA GOVERNMENT THAT FAILS to educate, monitor, enforce and resolve.

ps... it does seems strange here that the government is able to educate, monitor and enforce on many other issues. maybe it is just a matter of priority.

Answer 4

That's a very good question and I haven't even thought about it. Of course it can hurt an animal, just like it hurts humans. Hm, I'm going to check on this one with the pet store to make sure. VERY GOOD QUESTION. EDIT: You really shouldn't buy any dog toy from China for now. I'm throwing all mine away.

Answer 5

I totally agreed with LF221's answer. He is right when he said the Chinese would DO ANYTHING to defend China's honour even if they are exposed to tainted products or poisoning.

There was a question pertaining to lead poisoning earlier here on YA! and one Chinese's answerer said that a small amount of lead WON'T kill your
children and it was being used for years!! See how ignorant the person is!!

To Jason s, your answer is very good too.

Answer 6

The chinese use lead paint has the way to cut down costs. The health harzard is the by product of it.

Answer 7

I do not hear them talking about it at all, it is not a topic of conversation in the office tha tI work in, there seems to be no concern at all, not sure why

Answer 8

Looks to me like they are not too worried about it or they would have not put it in the toys in the first place.

Answer 9

Mattel is responsible. Are they worried at all? US corporations are responsible for import quality. They COULD give Americans the jobs, but they would be guilty of being pro-American, and they prefer foreign workers.

Answer 10

Not sure, but this can explains why so many Expats think the locals are retarded. Especially those in the service industry.

But, that is pretty scary, especially if you consider all the fake knock off goods they sell. You know the production of those items are not at all regulated.