WNEM TV 5 Toxic toys headed to Mid-Michigan seized

Toxic toys headed to Mid-Michigan seized

Officials say they have seized a container of rag dolls and transformable cars after a lab analysis found that the toys contained high levels of lead and small parts that presented a choking hazard.

The total retail value of the toys, headed to Flint, was $16,989.

The recovery was part of a joint effort with investigators from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Port of Detroit.

The container, originating from China, arrived via ocean vessel in Newark, NJ on Nov. 11, 2011, where it was selected by CPSC for testing of the toys. CPSC requested that CBP hold the container in Detroit to determine if the toys were safe under CPSC regulations.

The container arrived in Detroit on Nov. 25, 2011 and was examined at a Centralized Examination Station.

A sample of the dolls and cars were sent to CPSC for chemical analysis where they were ruled unsafe for the American consumer market.

"American children and the public at large deserve to have toys that are safe and free from harm," said Area Port Director Roderick Blanchard. "This is an excellent example of cross agency cooperation that resulted in keeping dangerous products off the market."

Officials would not comment on what Flint stores the tainted toys were headed for.

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 requires importers to test and certify that imports of children's products are in compliance with CPSC requirements.

It is unlawful to import into the U.S. any children's product that contains lead with more than 90 parts per million of lead paint or more than 300 parts per million of total lead content.

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