Mattel Toy Settlement

UNDATED (AP) - Alabama is among 39 states participating in a $12
million settlement with Mattel over Chinese-made lead-tainted toys
shipped to the U.S. in 2007.
The toy maker and its Fisher Price unit recalled more than 21
million Chinese-made toys last year, fearing the items were tainted
with lead paint and had tiny magnets that children could
accidentally swallow.
As part of the agreement, Mattel also agreed to lower the
acceptable level of lead in toys shipped to the states to 90 parts
per million. That would be down from 600 parts per million, which
is currently the federal standard.
When new regulations go into place next year, however, the
federal standard will also fall to 90 parts per million.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)