Posted on 10/05/2007 7:00:39 AM PDT by DogByte6RER
Boy Scouts badge voluntarily recalled for lead
Up to 1.6 million affected; plastic totem badges usually given to Cub Scouts
The Associated Press
Updated: 4:45 p.m. PT Oct 4, 2007
DALLAS - The Boy Scouts of America said Thursday that a painted, plastic badge commonly worn by some of its youngest scouts is being voluntary recalled after a test revealed high levels of lead in the paint.
As many as 1.6 million of the badges, which are made in China, may be affected by the recall.
"We're doing everything we can," Boy Scouts spokesman Gregg Shields said.
The plastic totem badge is given to Cub Scouts, who are usually between the ages of 7 and 8. The badge has a yellow and blue border, includes a picture of a bear and wolf and reads "Progress Toward Ranks."
No illnesses have been reported, Shields said.
The unacceptable amounts of lead were discovered during a testing of Boy Scouts products, Shields said. He did not know the level of lead the test revealed.
The badges are supplied by Kahoot Products Inc., based in Roswell, Ga. The company is calling for a voluntary recall of the badge and asking parents to take them away from their children.
A phone message left with the company Thursday was not immediately returned.
Kahoot has supplied the badge to the Boy Scouts, based in Irving, Texas, for about eight years, Shields said. About 20,000 kits containing the badges have been sold each year since, he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
We shouldn't expect anything less from the ChiComs...
Is it me, or must China be sitting on top of the biggest damn pile of lead in the world?
It does simplify matters a bit, however. A Chinese citizen never has to fill out an organ donor card.
While watching an episode of Made In America, I was saddened to learn that only one company (I think New Era) still makes MLB baseball caps here in the States.
And all this time we thought the bargains at Walmart were truly bargains.
“And all this time we thought the bargains at Walmart were truly bargains.”
I think the market is ripe for a new dept store chain where the mission would be to sell American made products only.
I did an article search on this and one of the first links was to DU. I resisted the urge to look away and read some of the comments. It’s simply disgusting how much they hate the Scouts.
At least the Boy Scouts know better than to put their badges in their mouths.
I lead 8 cubs that all have the lead enhanced badges. I’m seriously considering telling them not to lick them and going on with my day.
Then maybe I’ll take them fishing with ...gasp!!...lead sinkers.
Actually, I’ll let them know and we’ll let the parents decide.
In fact, maybe I’ll get some pieces of leather and we’ll make our own badges.
You’re making too much sense.
Lead is becoming the new mercury-any amount, no matter how small or inert, is ‘a problem’. IMHO we are starting down the slippery slope which will bring us to a ban on everything with lead. Including ammunition.
I told my sons this morning about the recall, which they took in stride, having heard all about the pet food poisonings and toy recalls already. My 12 year old joked about how everything coming out of China must be dipped in lead before coming to the US, except for the fish and shrimp, which are grown in "organic" human poo.
I'm just glad I don't have to live there.
Or greedy American business men and greedy American investors.
Lead paint has been a big topic here since the 1960’s. Especially when related to poverty and New York tenement buildings. Federal housing rules (HUD) are very strict.
My wife is also a Den Leader. Thank you for supporting the boys and helping them grow into productive young men.
Put the China argument aside for the moment. Unless these Scouts are chewing the paint off there badges, and their getting served these badges on a plate three meals a day. what is the problem with lead based paint? They are exposed to more lead on a one day fishing trip with Dad that a life time of wearing merit badges.
Eating vast quantities of mercury is another story.
It's all well and good to keep lead-based paint away from infants who will likely stick it in their mouths, but an older child, merely wearing a pin, isn't likely to experience any ill effects. It's just not worth the news coverage and the indignant responses.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.