United Scientific Horseshoe Magnets
In the United States, the governmental agency that has the responsibility for testing consumer products in order to prevent the use of hazardous products such as those containing excess lead is the Consumer Products Safety Commission. In the case of a product being found to be outside the safety standards, such as the case of the Horseshoe Magnets distributed by United Scientific, the distributor and the CPSC will cooperate in order to issue a voluntary product recall. United Scientific based in Waukegan, IL has recalled these toy magnets due to lead content that is higher than the allowable levels.
Product Description
United Scientific Company of Waukegan, IL is the importer of these children’s magnets. The magnets were sold in five different sizes–a two-inch, three-inch, four-inch, five-inch and six-inch magnet with model numbers SHM020, SHM030, SHM040, SHM050 and SHM060 respectively. These toy magnets have red paint covering the surface of the magnet except at the open end of the horseshoe. The magnets are often used by school children in their science projects. The product is manufactured in the country of India. The cost of the magnets was typically about $1.
Hazardous Magnets
The testing process conducted by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission found that the red paint that covers the surface of the magnets contains a level of lead that is higher than the acceptable standards. Since infants and school age children are particularly susceptible to the detrimental effects of lead, the CPSC and the United Scientific Company have joined in a voluntary recall effort of the product. Since the product was generally distributed to educational classrooms, the schools are the ones to take action to turn in the subject magnets. Whether in class or outside the classroom, children should not be allowed to use or handle the magnets.
Availability of the Magnets
Approximately 153,000 of United Scientific magnets were sold throughout the United States during the period between March 1995 and September 2007. The magnets were sold by independent distributors during this period. Most of the sales were to schools in order to be used in science labs or science classes. The magnets represented a relatively inexpensive tool that could be used to illustrated physical properties of physics. However, low cost is not important if the product represents a significant health hazard to the children using the tool. With this type of product, extensive use can mean additional wear and flaking of the paint, resulting in higher exposure levels.
Remedial Actions
For those models that come under the recall details, consumers should immediately stop using the item and contact United Scientific for a replacement magnet. Further information can be found by direct contact with United Scientific.
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