Major Retailer Removes Several Lead Coated Fidget Spinners from Shelves

There is no question that a fidget spinner may be on your child’s
holiday gift list but the popular handheld three-pronged pieces made of
plastic or metal can also be potentially dangerous to their health. Not
only can the popular toy cause dangerous distractions, fall apart and
create a choking hazard, some models are now earning the reputation for
being potentially harmful because of a toxic heavy metal.

Minneapolis based major retailer
Target has reportedly removed two models of fidget spinners from online and pulled the spinners from
shelves after tests showed they contained high levels of lead. One spinner
had 330 times the allowable amount for children’s products. A Target
spokeswoman said in a recent statement, “While these two products
comply with all U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines
for fidget spinners, based on the concerns raised, we’re removing
them from our assortment. Additionally, we’re working closely with
our vendors to ensure all of the fidget spinners carried at Target meet
the CPSC’s guidelines for children’s products.”

Spinning Between General Use Products and Children’s Toys

The two models, both sold at Target stores throughout the U.S., are spinners
classified by the CPSC as “general use” products and not as
“a child’s toy”, leaving them clear to be sold with
unsafe lead limits. The problem was noted since the spinners were labeled
“ages 14+” but consumer and health advocates agree the spinners
are often used by younger children. The spinners in question contained
extremely high levels of lead in the metal and coating when tested and
are sold as:

  • Fidget Wild Premium Spinner Brass: Tested at 33,000 parts per million of
    lead in its center circle and 22,000 parts per million in the arm
  • Fidget Wild Premium Spinner Metal: Found to have 1,300 parts per million
    of lead in its center circle and 520 parts per million in its arm

The
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children’s products contain no more than trace
amounts of lead and say that there is no safe levels of lead in children.
Lead harms a child’s developing brain.

Contact Wagner Reese

It is believed more than half the children in the U.S. own a fidget spinner.
In addition to the unsafe lead found in some models, Texas and Oregon
children have been taken to hospitals after choking on fidget spinner
pieces. A young child in Texas required surgery on her esophagus as a
piece was lodged. These incidents trigger another urgent need for increased
awareness, safer products, better pre-market testing, and a more responsible
marketplace (such as Target’s decision) to help prevent injuries.

Parents may have a case of product liability if there was a defect in the
design or manufacturing. There may also be case in the event of a missing
label or warning for a toy and their child was seriously injured, became
sick, or died. Contact the
product liability attorneys at Wagner Reese if your child has sustained a toy-related injury. We are
pleased to provide your family with a free and confidential consultation.
You can complete and
submit the online form, and our attorneys will review your information, and respond promptly.
If you wish to speak directly with us, please call (888) 204-8440.