Record numbers of Chinese-made toys have been recalled due to
the presence of unsafe levels of toxic lead paint. And neither
the government nor the toy industry has inspired confidence that
they've removed all unsafe toys from the shelves leaving many
parents looking to take matters into their own hands with at-
home lead test kits. And no wonder. Lead can attack the brain at
critical stages of development, in utero or in early childhood,
causing permanent brain damage, lowered IQ and possibly even a
tendency toward violent behavior. Approximately 310,000 U.S.
children between the ages of one and five have blood lead levels
greater than 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood. At
that level, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
recommends parents take action to identify and reduce exposure.
If you're concerned about the safety of toys in your home, and
you're the type of parent who wants to take matters into your
own hands, good. But be wary. Many at-home lead test kits won't
help you get to the