Thomas the tainted engine

HOW DISQUIETING it must be for a parent to have to return a Thomas the Tank Engine train because the toy was coated with lead paint. The manufacturer needs to explain why the toys were painted this dangerous way in the Chinese factory that produced them and outline which steps company officials will take to prevent such hazards in the future.

So far, the RC2 Corporation of Oak Brook, Ill., is hunkering down after issuing the recall notice and notifying the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, as is required under federal law. So callous is the company that it expected consumers to pay postage to send the toys back, until public outrage forced it to absorb the cost.

An RC2 affiliate made the train sets in southern China, where most toys sold in the United States originate. With the news of deadly toothpaste and tainted pet food ingredients coming out of China, American consumers are understandably worried about the safety of all products manufactured in that country.

"We have an obligation to find out what happened and prevent it from happening in the future," said Carter Keithley, president of the Toy Industry Association, in an interview this week. RC2 has issued a statement saying it has "implemented a corrective action plan," but doesn't say what this involves. Even though RC2 is not a member of the association, Keithley said he will try to persuade the company to open up.

As Keithley explains it, toys are supposed to be tested many times before they are offered for sale. The association holds an annual seminar in China to make sure factories follow specifications. The RC2 experience suggests that this informal arrangement needs to be tightened, perhaps by more frequent tests of toys as they come off the production line.

It is tempting to call for further government regulations in the United States. Unfortunately, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is understaffed, has many more responsibilities than toys, and shouldn't have to test all types of manufactured products as they enter the country. Before the government considers new regulations, the industry ought to be allowed to improve its internal policing.

And the Chinese central and regional governments have an interest in making sure their exports are considered safe. They need to press RC2 for a full accounting as well, and if any wrongdoing is found in China, to prosecute the offenders.

Lead can cause brain damage if ingested, yet thankfully no parent has reported that his or her child has been harmed by chewing on the toys. Unless blame is apportioned and testing improved, who knows what other unpleasant surprises await from the enormous Chinese manufacturing sector? By allowing cheap labor to drive down costs, globalization has benefited the manufacturing companies and the Chinese economy. Those who have profited need to accept responsibility for -- and fix -- any problems that arise.