A children’s toy gardening set is being recalled from customers over concerns that it may pose a “serious chemical risk”. The gardening toy is said to contain yellow paint on the handle of a hoe and rake with “excess concentrations of migratable lead”.
A notice issued by the Office for Product Safety and Standards said: “Exposure to lead may cause a wide range of adverse effects, including damage to the kidneys, the circulatory system, and the developing brain. The unborn child and young children are the most sensitive to lead.”
The problem means the product does not meet the requirements of the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, the notice added.
The recall applies to the Long Handle Hoe and Rake in Stanley Jr. Kids Wheelbarrow and seven-piece Garden Set sold by Costco UK, with item number 1662178.
The set, which includes a yellow and black rake and how a long handle, was made in China.
Exposure to migratable lead can cause serious health problems, including damage to the brain, kidneys and circulatory system.
The sale of lead paint was banned in the UK from 1992, but it can be found in old paint used in homes, toys, furniture and crafts.
Symptoms of lead poisoning include headaches, stomach cramps, constipation, joint and muscle pain and tiredness.
Short-term exposure is usually not usually dangerous but can result in stomach upset, mood changes, poor attention span, headaches, hallucinations and damage to the brain and kidneys in severe cases.
Lower-level exposure over a long time can lead to anaemia and high blood pressure, damage to the nervous system, brain and kidneys as well as effects on male and female reproduction.
Anyone who has bought the product was urged to stop using it and request a free replacement.
