8.21.2007 12:00 AM

Class-Action Suit Against Mattel Possible

Family Sues To Have Toy Maker Pay To Test Children For Lead Poisoning

By Dan Shapley

Here it comes. The first of what could be many suits in the Mattel lead-paint toy recall incident was filed Monday in Los Angeles. It seeks class action status and wants the toy maker to pay for blood testing of two children to determine if they were exposed to damaging levels of lead.

Experts say the risk of exposure from the toys is relatively small, given that they were recalled -- limiting the time of potential exposure. Lead paint poses problems mostly when it cracks, dries, peels and flakes in age. Then, children can more easily ingest it.

By far the greater risk of lead exposure comes from old lead paint in older buildings, and in lead-tainted dust stirred up during renovation. For more tips on limiting your child's exposure to lead, click here.

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