Elmer's Vows Safety Review after Reports of High Lead Levels
Columbus, Ohio-based glue maker Elmer's Products Inc. has pledged to investigate its safety standards following findings by Consumer Reports magazine of high lead levels in several kinds of children's glue sticks.
In a statement released Monday, Elmer's said the company was aware of the report in the December issue of Consumer Reports and has initiated a "rigorous review'' of the findings.
Consumer Reports tested children's products to measure total lead levels _ the amount of lead on a toy's surface as well as the amount embedded in the toy. Surface lead is a larger concern as children are exposed to the lead by touching toys or placing them in their mouths.
Products with high levels of total lead included orange caps from seven Elmer's Glue Sticks with designs from "Dora the Explorer,'' "Go, Diego, Go!'' and "SpongeBob SquarePants,'' the report said.
There is no federal standard for lead in plastics, but the amount of lead detected in the glue stick caps was more than three times the 600 parts per million allowable for paint in the United States, Consumer Reports said.
Consumer Reports said it also found lead in varying amounts in toys, dishware, jewelry, vinyl backpacks, children's ceramic tea sets and other items not on any federal recall list.
Elmers manufactures adhesives, as well as arts and crafts, educational and office products.
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