Here’s an interesting article for all you parents who may like to share your own childhood toys from yesteryear with your little ones today. I’m guilty myself! (Hello Secret Wars-era Alien Symbiote Spider-Man!) It seems scientists in England found traces of hazardous elements in some of the toys produced in the 1970’s & 1980’s. 10% of the 200 toys tested positive for arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead, antimony, selenium and bromine. All the toys tested were the perfect size for children to put in their mouths and chew on. One of the worst offenders was Lego bricks, specifically the red and yellow ones.
So think twice before picking up that vintage Mekaneck Masters of the Universe action figure at the thrift store or bringing out your old Gem and the Holograms dolls from the attic! You may want to give it a quick lead-test for safety’s sake!