635,000 Aflac Plush Toy Ducks Recalled for Lead Poisoning Hazard
635,000 Aflac Plush Toy Ducks Recalled for Lead Poisoning Hazard
More than half a million toy ducks that Aflac sales reps hand out when making sales calls to sell their insurance policies have been recalled for high levels of toxic lead. According to a Newsweek report, the company that made these plush Doctor Duck toys is recalling them in collaboration with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to a CPSC alert, the buttons on the lab coat worn by Doctor Duck contains levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content standard.
Details of the Recall
The company has created different plush ducks over the last couple of decades. The one that has been recalled is white with a yellow beak and feet. It is covered in a white lab coat with buttons and a stethoscope and Aflac is printed on the front of the duck’s lab coat.
Those who have these toys at home are asked to immediately dispose of them. The plush duck toys, which were made in China, were all given free to consumers as promotional items. There have been no known cases of lead poisoning as a result of these recalled items. Anyone with questions or concerns is asked to contact Communicorp at 1-800-642-3522.
Dangers of Lead Poisoning
Lead is often found in the paint on toys, which was banned in the U.S., but is still widely used in other countries. Lead may also be found in older toys made in the United States prior to the ban. The use of lead in plastics, however, has not been banned. Lead dust, which is harmful when inhaled, can form when plastic is exposed to sunlight, air, and detergents that break down the chemical bond between lead and plastics.
Young children, who are the most affected by lead poisoning, tend to put their hands, toys or other objects tainted with lead, into their mouths. Young children can suffer a range of neurological issues if exposed to lead including irreversible brain damage. If you believe your child has been exposed to a product containing lead, contact your doctor. Most children who are exposed to lead don’t have symptoms. The only way to determine lead exposure is with a blood lead test. As levels of lead in the blood increase, adverse effects from lead may also increase.
If you or someone you love has suffered lead poisoning as the result of a defective product, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses by filing a product defect lawsuit against the manufacturer, retailer, distributor or other parties. An experienced product defect lawyer can help you better understand your legal rights and options.
