Some Thomas the Tank Engine toys may contain lead.
Some Thomas the Tank Engine toys may contain lead.
KEY POINTS:
Thomas the Tank Engine and friends have been recalled to the station over a matter of paint.
It appears that the paint on some of the wooden toys may contain lead, raising health concerns especially where young children are concerned. RC2, manufacturers of Learning Curve-branded Thomas and FriendsWooden Railway System, has recalled a limited number of products worldwide with only 12 of the affected products relating to New Zealand.
Local distributor Holdsworth and Sons said the items had already been taken off the shelves in toy stores here.
Managing director Simon Holdsworth said only toys bought in the past two years were affected and that the levels of lead were probably not harmful with no incidents or injuries reported in any country to date.
However, he said such toys should be sent back for a replacement.
"There's a fair bit of consumer concern but it's only the 12 items and not the entire range," he said.
Advertisements detailing the affected lines will appear in newspapers throughout the country.
These 12 items or parts are being recalled:
* Old Slow Coach (brown and yellow), purchased after June 2006.
* Sodor Line Caboose (red), purchased after April 2005.
* Deluxe Fire Station, Fire Brigade Truck (red) and Fire Brigade Train (red) only, purchased after November 2006.
* Oval Set, Baggage Car (red) and Railroad Sign (yellow) only, purchased after January 2006.
* The Great Adventure Set, Yellow Sodor Cargo Co. piece (yellow), purchased after October 2006.
* James the Red Engine and Tender (red) purchased after April 2005.
* Red Lights and Sounds James Engine and Tender (red), purchased after July 2006.
* Skarloey (red), purchased after April 2005.
* Sodor Fire Crew, Hook and Ladder Car (red) and Water Tanker Car (red), purchased after April 2005.
* Smelting Yard, purchased after August 2005.
* Ice Cream Factory, purchased after August 200.;
* Mountain Overpass Set, Stop Sign (red). purchased after April 2006.
