Lead Peril Sparks Recall of Million Voltron Lion Toys

More than a million of the popular Voltron Lion robot toys are being recalled because of illegal amounts of lead in the paint on metal parts, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday.

Matchbox Toys (USA) Ltd. of Moonachie, N.J., is recalling Voltron Lion toys made in Taiwan, the commission said, but Voltron toys made entirely of plastic, and metal ones made in Japan, do not contain lead and are not being recalled.

No reports of injuries have been received, but the company is advising parents to remove the Taiwan-made Voltron Lions from use and call 1-800-445-8697 for information on obtaining replacements.

‘Especially Susceptible’

Almost 1.5 million of the toys have been sold since July, 1985, making this one of the largest recalls involving the agency, commission Chairman Terrence M. Scanlon told a meeting of state consumer affairs professionals in Louisville, Ky.

“Young children are especially susceptible to lead poisoning because they absorb and retain a larger percentage of the lead they ingest than adults do,” Scanlon said.

Involved in the recall are 203,000 complete sets and 424,000 pieces of Deluxe Voltron Lions and 866,000 Miniature Voltron Lions, the commission said. The Deluxe Lions sold for about $60 to $90 and the miniatures for $12 to $15.

A deluxe set consists of five separate lions in five different colors, which can be connected to form one complete figure about 11 inches tall. The miniatures are about six inches tall and resemble the deluxe set, but the body parts are not designed to separate.

The recalled items carry silver stick-on labels stating that they were made in Taiwan, and the name Bandai and Taiwan is embossed under the jaw of some of the lions.