States settle with Mattel over lead paint

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley today announced a $12 million multi-state settlement with Mattel Inc. and its Fisher-Price subsidiary involving toys with excessive lead paint.

The agreement will provide the Commonwealth with $625,000: $500,000 will be dedicated to fighting and preventing childhood lead poisoning, and $125,000 will cover the costs of the 15-month investigation.

The probe, which involved 39 states, stems from a recall last year of roughly 2 million Mattel and Fisher-Price toys, all manufactured by contractors in China, that had excessive lead.

The attorneys general investigated how Mattel allowed these lead-tainted toys to enter the market and whether Mattel's contracting and quality assurance processes were sufficient to guard against the toxic toys.

The settlement reached requires Mattel follow more stringent standards for accessible lead for toys manufactured after Nov. 30, 2008.

Mattel said in a statement: "As Mattel’s highest priority is the safety of children who play with our toys, we are pleased to have worked cooperatively with the attorneys general of 40 states to reach agreements that will further enhance children’s safety. Mattel has demonstrated its commitment to children’s safety by pledging to meet standards even more stringent than those currently required."

The agreement also "includes important lead monitoring requirements that should prevent a similar public health scare from occurring in the future, in addition to funds that will be used for preventative efforts on the state level," Coakley said in a statement.

While all affected toys have been removed from the market, consumers who are concerned that a toy they purchased may be affected can cross check the SKU number on the toy with the recall list on Mattel’s website, www.mattel.com, or by calling Mattel at 1-800-916-4498.
(By Jenn Abelson, Globe staff)