Lead in Toys: What Parents Still Need to Know in 2025

Lead exposure from painted or coated toys can harm children and developing fetuses. Stronger U.S. rules (CPSIA) and CPSC oversight reduced widespread risks, but vigilance remains important: check CPSC recalls, avoid items with chipped paint, practice good hand hygiene, and test or remove questionable toys.

Why lead in toys matters

Lead is a neurotoxin. In children it impairs brain development, lowers IQ, and can cause behavioral and learning problems. Pregnant people exposed to lead can pass it to the fetus, increasing risks for developmental harm. Even low-level, repeated exposure matters because lead builds up in the body over time.

How lead got into toys

Historically, manufacturers added lead pigments and compounds to paints and coatings because they improved color, durability, and water resistance. Toys painted or coated with those materials - and cheap or poorly controlled products - have been sources of childhood exposure.

Large recalls in the mid-2000s (including several high-profile recalls by companies such as Mattel and Fisher-Price) focused public attention on the problem and prompted stronger regulation and testing regimes worldwide.

What regulations changed

The U.S. tightened safety rules after those recalls. Congress passed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in 2008, which strengthened lead limits and required third-party testing and certification for many children's products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) now publishes recalls and safety alerts for toys and other children's items.

Specific numeric limits and testing categories have changed over time and are enforced by the CPSC and international standards bodies.

Practical steps parents can take

• Check the CPSC recall page and the SaferProducts.gov database before buying or keeping older toys.

• Avoid painted jewelry, inexpensive metal toys, and items with chipped or flaking paint. Vintage and antique toys may contain lead and should be treated cautiously.

• Wash children's hands frequently, especially before eating, and clean toy surfaces and floors to reduce dust exposure.

• If you're unsure about a specific item, consider a commercial lead test kit for an initial screen; a certified lab provides definitive results.

• For new purchases, look for documentation of third-party testing or safety certification and buy from reputable sellers.

What to know about imports and manufacturers

Many recalls in the past involved imported products, but supply chains and compliance systems have changed since the 2000s. Compliance depends on manufacturers and importers meeting testing and certification requirements, not on country of origin alone.

Final note

Lead in toys remains preventable. Use reviews and official recall resources, practice basic hygiene and cleaning, and remove or test suspect items. If you suspect lead exposure, contact your pediatrician or local health department for testing and guidance.

1. Confirm current numeric lead limits for paint/coatings and total lead content in children's products under CPSC/CPSIA and the specific phase-in dates.
2. Confirm specifics of ASTM F963 or other standards regarding heavy metals limits and required certifications.
3. Verify the current labeling/certification language sellers use to show third-party testing compliance.