BABY EINSTEIN RECALL - Discover and Play Color Blocks

Kids II, the makers of Baby Einstein, have recalled their Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks due to excessive lead paint. The Baby Einstein recall involves the Blue block in the Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks. According to the Baby Einstein Recall, the blue block Baby EinsteinDiscover & Play Color Block is painted with a lead based paint and is toxic for children to play with. Parents or caretakers should check their child's toys to see if the blue block effected by the Baby Einstein Recall is in there.

Here is the official release from Consumer Protection regarding the Baby Einstein Recall.

Kids II Recalls Baby Einstein Color Blocks Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks

Units: About 35,000

Distributor: Kids II Inc., of Alpharetta, Ga.

Hazard: Surface paint on the blue block contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recall involves the blue block included with the Baby Einstein Discover & Play Color Blocks, Model 30726 and Model 30881. The blocks are made of soft textures and come in different colors. Only date codes of GE7, GF7, and GG7 are included in this recall. The model number and date code are printed on the labels affixed to the green-colored block.

Sold at: Various retailers and specialty stores nationwide from June 2007 through September 2007 for between $10 and $13.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled blue block away from children immediately and contact Kids II to receive a free replacement of the affected block.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kids II toll-free at (866) 203-6788 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidsii.com

Here is an article I pulled from Keepkidshealthy.com on the signs and effects of lead poisoning.

After being ingested, lead enters the bloodstream and is absorbed and stored in many tissues and organs in the body, including the liver, kidneys, brain, teeth and bones.
High levels of lead can cause serious health problems in your children. Lead poisoning can affect almost every organ system of the body, including:

brain and central nervous system, causing:
lower IQs
headaches
memory problems
reduced coordination
learning disabilities
irritability
hyperactivity
increased sleeping
decreased activity and fatigue
hearing loss
vomiting
slow reflexes
muscle weakness, affecting mainly the upper extremities
seizures, coma, hypertension in high levels
gastrointestinal system, causing:
constipation
diarrhea
abdominal pain
vomiting
poor appetite
weight loss
blood system, causing anemia or low blood counts
kidney problems
reproductive system, causing:
miscarriages
premature birth
low birth weight
If your child has any of these symptoms of lead poisoning and he is at risk for lead exposure then you should see your doctor immediately. Most children with lead poisoning do not have any symptoms, so if your child is at risk you should still have him tested even if he is not having any problems.

Some effects of lead poisoning, such as poor school performance because of a low IQ, do not show up until a child is much older, at which time they will probably have a normal lead level, and so may not be attributed to lead poisoning.