Consumer concern over lead paint continues to grow with yet another series of recalls. On December 5, 2007, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a recall for Bell Racing Co. Collectible Mini Helmets. The recall covers about 1,400 of the six-inch tall collectible replicas of helmets worn by several race car drivers.

The following models are included in the recall:

• Terry Borcheller helmet, part number 2005740;
• Kurt Busch helmet, part number 2001368; and
• Vitor Meira helmet, part number 2001381.

The part number can be found on the product?s packaging with the UPC code.

The helmets, which were made in China, were sold at home improvement and discount department retailers nationwide from March 2007 through November 2007 for about $40 each.

Consumers should take the recalled helmets away from children immediately and contact Bell Racing to receive a full refund. Consumers can contact the company toll-free at 1-866-892-6059 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

On December 4, 2007, Fisher-Price recalled its Fisher-Price Medical Kit in Illinois due to lead contamination. The kit includes a red blood pressure cuff that was found to contain high levels of lead. Illinois is the only state where the toy has been recalled.

Consumers Union (CU), an independent, non-profit research organization and publisher of both an online and print consumer magazine www.ConsumerReports.com, conducted research on the cuffs that revealed the high levels of lead and shared its findings with Fisher-Price and the CPSC. CU found that the cuff contains high amounts of lead in the plastics that make up the cuff, as well as in the surface paint. The company responded that the toy complies with all federal lead paint standards; that statement was confirmed by the CPSC.

Despite removing the product from Illinois shelves, Fisher-Price has no plans for a national recall. The company said consumers outside of Illinois are welcome to contact Fisher-Price at 1-800-298-0638 with any concerns they have about the product.

Sources: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Alert #08-112, December 5, 2007. ?Fisher-Price pulls lead-tainted toy in Illinois but not other states.? December 4, 2007.