Two years after being recalled nationwide, lead-laced children?s rings found their way back into gumball machines stocked by a Baltimore company.
“If the recall didn?t work in Baltimore, is Baltimore the only place in the country where this is happening?” Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Josh Sharfstein asked The Examiner. “These are voluntary recalls.”
The discovery of lead in a turquoise ring in a vending machine stocked by Cardinal Inc. of 6801 Quad Ave., Baltimore, is the third lead-related recall tied to the supplier of vending machine supplies and the goodies that fill them, according to the Baltimore City Health Department.
Previously, three rings, designed with small dice and horseshoes, tested high for lead content in March and were banned from sale within the city.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission concluded those rings had been subject to a voluntary recall in July 2004.
The commission issued another recall of the rings Wednesday in a statement saying, “The rings contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children.”
“In this case, the company put recalled items back into circulation,” CPSC spokeswoman Patty Davis said. “There can be penalties for a company that puts something back on store shelves, but we haven?t decided where we?re going to go from here.”
Cardinal was involved in the July 2004 recall, Sharfstein said, and also distributed the turquoise ring involved in Thursday?s recall.
A representative from Cardinal directed The Examiner to a voice mailbox set up for recallquestions.
“It raises serious questions about the Consumer Product Safety Commission?s voluntary approach to lead-tainted children?s jewelry,” Sharfstein said. “If we cannot trust that unsafe products are off the market, what?s the point of having a recall?”
Davis said the commission has had success with voluntary recalls.
“We can go to court and force a recall, but 99 percent of our recalls are voluntary,” she said. “We?ve found companies want to comply. It?s good business for them to keep customers safe.”
A child who swallows large amounts of lead may develop anemia, severe stomachache, muscle weakness and brain damage, according to the National Institutes of Health MedlinePlus Web site. Even low levels of lead lower IQ.
Sharfstein instructed his staff to begin random testing of children?s jewelry after a Minneapolis 4-year-old swallowed a trinket and died.
“These rings were quite small and could pose a health risk if chewed or swallowed by small children,” said Olivia Farrow, assistant commissioner for environmental health. “It is unacceptable for products that are known to be unsafe to be sold again to children in our city.”
