Imagine parents hearing their son ask time and time again for one particular toy for his birthday. He makes it clear that he only wants a Captain Cutlass Toy Pirate Pistol. So, the parents buy their son the toy pistol. Several years later, the parents are probably aghast when they learn that the toy their son played with for hours actually contains harmful amounts of lead.

Many parents may have probably had such an experience since the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled many children's toys in September because of lead levels. The Captain Cutlass toy mentioned above was just one many toys included in the recent recall. Thousands of the Captain Cutlass toys were sold during the four years they were available on toy store shelves.

A report indicates that there is an unsafe amount of lead in the paint on the outside of the pistols. In addition, one report explains that children are more sensitive to impacts of lead than adults. While there are regulations in place to protect consumers from dangerous lead levels in toys and other products, items containing harmful levels of lead still make their way into the market.

Parents whose children have played with recalled toys may worry about how lead levels might affect their children. These impacts may not be seen for a while, though parents can take other steps to avoid contact with future recalled toys. Avoiding toys that could contain lead is one option. In addition, one source explains that parents can test toys for lead levels.

Unfortunately, these recalled toys have already been in many children's hands for years. If parents realize their child suffered due to lead in a recalled toy, addressing the situation with a products liability attorney may be worthwhile.

Source: The Financial, "Lead in children's toys still a concern for parents," Oct. 13, 2012