Potential Lead Risks in Fidget Spinners

A recently released report in the by the US Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG) has revealed that at least some commerically popular fidget spinners contain high levels of lead.

Specifically, the Fidget Wild Premium Spinner Brass has tested at 33,000 parts per million (ppm) for lead. The allowable parts ppm for children’s toys is only 100 ppm, making these fidget spinners over 300 times the allowable limit.

So how are they staying on the shelf? Target, the store carrying them, as well as the manufacturer are arguing that these toys are intended only for those ages 14 and up, making them not children’s toys but “general use products.”

This is absurd on its face. Fidget spinners are clearly marketed towards and used by children, as anyone who has spent time around children recently can attest. And even if they weren’t, leaving lead contaminated items on the shelf inherantly runs the risk of them being picked up or played with by a child, making them potentially dangerous.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) should reclassify fidget spinners as toys, not general use products. And whether or not this action takes place, these toys should be removed from the shelves as soon as possible to protect the safety of children.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/target-fidget-spinners-high-levels-lead/