Lead in Toys

In May 1936, a report in the Consumers Union magazine highlighted the possible presence of lead in a large number of children’s toys. The lead was mostly found as a part of the alloy with which the toys -- soldiers, airplanes, and cars -- were made.

Because of the grave hazards lead poses to children, the article advised that "the purchase of lead toys should, therefore, be scrupulously avoided."

The report discusses lead's use in paint. Poor families, it notes, often repainting toys and used lead paint, as it was a cheaper alternative.

The piece then relates an incident where many children died while beacuse of excessive and prolonged exposure to lead paint:

Through these two stories, the connection between lead and socio-economic status becomes clear. Children from poorer backgrounds who received gifts were at a far higher risk of lead poisoning than their more affluent counterparts.