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You might want to check your kids' Christmas lists this year and make sure certain toys from Barbie and Disney aren't included - high levels of lead have been found in Barbie and Disney toys on the shelves at on Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Sears and TJMaxx.

The Center for Environmental Health tested 250 random brand name toys on the shelves at major retail stores and found excessive levels of lead in 7 of them. Lead can cause irreversible brain damage in children and these 7 toys had levels far in excess of the safe limit. The retail stores have received notification asking them to pull these products from their shelves immediately.


This testing comes on the heels of new regulations set last year (after Mattel had to recall 2 million toys due to high lead levels) that limited the levels of lead and dangerous chemicals in toys and products made for children 12 years and younger.

Parents may think the toys they purchase this holiday season are safe but it's obvious there are still products being sold with dangerous amounts of lead paint.

Disney said the product in question, a Tinkerbell necklace, tested safe before the new regulations, and the company didn't realize they were still on the shelves. Barbie has a similar excuse - apparently they licensed their name to Bell helmets to make the bike accessory bag in question.

So who's responsible here? The Consumer Product Safety Commission is looking into the matter and Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said at a press conference that the new consumer laws are working and that lead recalls are down from last year. She encouraged parents to shop for the holiday season with confidence.

How much confidence do you have in the Consumer Product Safety Commission? It's great that lead recalls are down - but they should be out in my opinion.

Among the toys with high lead levels: a Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit and a Disney Tinkerbell Water Lily necklace. The group said it also found excessive lead in a Dora the Explorer Activity Tote, two pairs of children's shoes, a boys belt and a kids' poncho. For more information, see the article on MSNBC.

To avoid lead all together, consider buying the kids in your life outdoor gear they can use to go camping, hiking, skiing or snowshoeing - a new backpack, snowshoes, a pair of skis, hiking boots, or a tent make great gifts for the outdoor-loving child. Save 35-70% on quality name brand outdoor gear, aparel and kids gear at Sierra Trading Post.