Health Canada and Amscan Canada Advise Parents and Caregivers of High Lead Levels in Favor Set Brand Pencils

Advisory
2007-113
September 1, 2007
For immediate release

OTTAWA - With the new school year set to begin, Health Canada and Amscan Canada announce a voluntary recall of Favor Set brand pencils due to a high lead level in the coating of the pencils. Under the Hazardous Products Act , pencils with more than 600 mg/kg of lead in the applied coating are prohibited from being sold, imported or advertised in Canada. Pencils that have already been purchased should immediately be taken away from children.

Health Canada tested the model shown in the photo and found the coating on the pencils to contain a high amount of lead. As a precautionary measure, Amscan is recalling all 16 models of Favor Set brand pencils sold in various stores across Canada since January 2007. Approximately 140,000 units are included in this recall. The pencils were manufactured in China.

• 275034 Prehistoric Party Favor Set
• 275049 Keep on Truckin Favor Set
• 277037 Championship Baseball Favor Set
• 277042 Championship Soccer Favor Set
• 277721 Championship Basketball Favor Set
• 277751 Championship Football Favor Set
• 278128 Camouflage Favor Set
• 278222 Pirate Party Favor Set
• 279756 Hearts & Flowers Favor Set
• 279760 Unicorn Magic Favor Set
• 279763 Frogs & Lizards Favor Set
• 279765 Princess Favor Set
• 279766 Shimmering Butterfly Favor Set
• 279780 Underwater Friends Favor Set
• 279781 Safari Party Favor Set
• 349949 Glitzy Girl Favor Set

There is no risk of lead exposure from holding a pencil with a coating that contains lead. However, sucking or chewing on a pencil with a coating that contains lead can cause adverse health effects, especially in young children. To date, Health Canada has not received any reports of incidents or injuries from use of these pencils.

If a child has sucked or chewed on a pencil with a coating that contains lead and you suspect lead poisoning may have occurred, contact your family physician who can order a blood test to measure a child's blood lead level.

For further information, contact your nearest Health Canada Product Safety office by phone at 1-866-662-0666 (toll-free) or email at cps-spc@hc-sc.gc.ca (please indicate the province or territory from which you are corresponding).

Amscan Canada advises that pencils that have already been purchased should be returned to the following address for a refund:

Amscan Canada
60 Lindsay Avenue
Dorval, Quebec
H9P 2T8
Phone 1-800-363-6662

For more information on the risks and symptoms of lead exposure, visit It's Your Health - Effects of Lead on Human Health.

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