Lead in toys: should we all have our children's blood tested for lead?

Question

My kids are beyond the chewing toy phase, but with all these recent recalls over lead in toys, I wonder if their old toys had lead in them too. Should I take them to the doctor and have their blood checked???? What about ourselves? I had a lot of plastic toys as a kids and who knows what was in them.

Answer 1

My only input on this question is to say that I asked my pediatrician if my kids ought to be tested since we owned (now recalled for lead) Thomas the Tank Engine toys. She told me a number of parents in her practice had asked for their kids to be tested for the same reason, and that no one's tests had shown lead levels to be concerned about. At her advice, and because my kids had had all their regularly scheduled lead tests with no problem, we didn't have them re-tested.

That's not to say that you shouldn't do it if you're concerned. You could certainly ask your own pediatrician what their advice was.

Answer 2

I had my son tested when he started preschool at 4. We lived in a house built in the 1950's and I was concerned about lead in the paint, yard, etc, but even if I hadn't, the preschool required it. My son was fine.

The test can be frightening for the child because it does require a needle poke and a small amount of blood. However, I praised my son for how brave he was at the test, and he remembered it a long time. He'd remind me that he could do something I might be worried about because he was brave at the blood test. Other than his feeling proud for being well behaved and my fears being put at ease, there were no long-term consequences, and certainly no negative consequences, for having the test done.

If cost is an issue, contact your county health unit. They provide low cost vaccinations, and they may provide this test at a reduced cost as well.

By the way, lead stays in the child's system "well beyond the chewing toy phase," but I don't have data on just how long. The pediatrician or county health unit will be able to provide information on that, as well, if you don't find what you want on line. Good luck.

Answer 3

It might be easier to just have the toys tested or check a public health site for a list of the toys that could contain lead. You could call your local health department and schedule an inspection of your home and/or they could give you more information. There could be lead in your home or the surrounding soil. If your child had lead poisoning there would be some outward signs that your childs doctor would have noticed.

Answer 4

Unless they are showing signs of lead poisoning there is really no need. How old are you? If you were going to have problems from lead poisoning from your toys when you were a kid you would have already been sick. Did you check the re-call list? None of the toys in the re-call are any that my son has. Check the list. No need to panic.

Answer 5

Its unlikely that they have lead poisoning unless they were eating the paint off of the toys and even then, it takes quite a bit. Im sure that most of the toys we played with as kids contained lead and we didnt get sick from it. I wouldnt worry about it.

Answer 6

Target sells lead detector kits which work very well.
Unless they are sucking/chewing on the toys i think it's very slim and not much to worry about. Just check the symptoms of lead poisoning and go from there.

Answer 7

all children are supposed to be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2

Answer 8

Go check it out - for your own peace of mind. Even without insurance it's not very expensive - about $80 per kid, but don't quote me.

99% they ar ok, though.

Answer 9

Yes, it is best to get checked by a doctor; you never can be too careful.