CPSC Announces Recalls Of Imported Crayons Because Of Lead Poisoning Hazard

April 5, 1994 Release # 94-055 PRODUCT: Crayons imported from China by the following companies: - "12 Jumbo Crayons," Concord Enterprises, Los Angeles, CA. - "Safe 48 Non-Toxic I'm a Toys "R" Us Kid! Crayons," Toys "R" Us, Paramus, NJ. - "12 Crayons, Glory" and "18 Crayons That Paint, Conforms ASTM D-4236," Glory Stationery Manufacturing Company Limited, Los Angeles, CA. - "64 Crayons, School Quality, No. 8064," A.J. Cohen Distributors, Hauppauge, NY. - "64 Crayons, #CR 64-64 CT," Baum Imports, New York, NY. - "12 Super Jumbo Crayons," Dynamic Division of Agora International, St. Albans, NY. - "8 Crayons, No 5 CL 850," Dynamic Division of Agora International, St. Albans, NY. - "Fun Time 72 Crayons, No. B541," Overseas United, New York, NY. - "64 Crayons, Kidz Biz," Bargin Wholesale, Los Angeles, CA. - "64 Crayons, SKU#51-02600," Universal International, Minneapolis, MN. - "Feido, 12 Crayons, No. CC8812," Kipp Brothers Inc., Indianapolis, IN. PROBLEM: All of these crayons contain lead. The first three (Concord, Toys "R" Us, and Glory) contain enough lead to present a lead poisoning hazard to young children who might eat or chew on the crayons. While sources such as lead paint are major causes of lead poisoning, it is important to eliminate other contributors to lead poisoning, such as these crayons. The other eight brands do not contain enough lead to increase the blood lead level above the threshold level for lead poisoning, assuming a typical scenario of a child chewing on small pieces of lead- containing crayons over a span of time. However, CPSC is very concerned about these crayons because they add to the overall "lead load" to children who may eat them. If a child ate an entire lead-containing crayon over the same span of time, the lead poisoning threshold for these crayons would be exceeded. WHAT TO DO: Take the crayons away from children and discard them or, for most of the brands, take them back to the store for a refund. The crayons sold by Bargin Wholesale