Thomas the Tank Engine's warning whistle is blowing, but it's not because a railroad crossing is approaching. This warning whistle is alerting parents of a recall on the popular children's toy line.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and RC2 Corp. recently announced a recall of more than 20 pieces of the popular Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway toy set. The company found that paint used on some of the products contained lead. The products were released between January 2005 and June 2005. About 1.5 million units of these toys were distributed.

Scott Wolfson, spokesman for the U.S. CPSC, said the products were produced in a production run when RC2 used a different factory than usual. Lead-based paint is banned in the United States, and it's essential parents participate in the recall, he said.

"Our key message to parents is not to delay one moment to respond to this recall," he said.

Products from the Wooden Railway collection have manufacturing codes located on the bottom of the product or inside the battery cover. Any products with "WJ" or "AZ" codes are not included in the recall.

Lead Poisoning

Carla Griffin, director of nursing for the Jackson County Health Department, said the department has received a few calls about the possibility of lead poisoning from the recall but not many.

Lead poisoning can lead to other problems such as learning disabilities, speech problems, and in extreme cases, seizures and comas, Griffin said.

"We don't see a lot of elevated lead levels here," she said.

Symptoms of lead poisoning include irritability, headaches, vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, stomach aches, cramping and fatigue, Griffin said. These symptoms are all non-specific, so a parent should not immediately assume a child has lead poisoning from them, she said.

"It's not something you can immediately pinpoint," she said.

Exposure to lead usually will not cause poisoning, but it is more often a result of oral contact with the lead-based substance. Parents with children who are in a hand-to-mouth stage should carefully monitor their children's behavior, Griffin said. It's also important to check if toys have paint that is chipping or coming off, and if so, these toys should be disposed of immediately.

If a parent suspects a child may have lead poisoning, he or she should contact a local health department or pediatrician immediately. The child will need to have a blood test done, which can either be a finger stick or a blood draw, Griffin said.

The cost of a lead poisoning test at the Jackson County Health Department ranges from $7 to $49.

Affecting local business

Samuel Cox, owner of My Favorite Toys in Carbondale, knew about the recall two days before the public announcement and immediately removed the toys from store shelves.

He belongs to the American Specialty Toy Retailer Association, which sent a notice to members about the recall prior to the announcement.

Cox said three customers have come into the store to see if their products were among the recalled. All three customers bought additional Thomas products while in the store.

"It hasn't soured them on Thomas," Cox said.

Hannah Maze, the toy department manager for Steven's Floral Gifts and Framing in Carterville, said she has been hanging up signs and distributing the recall phone number to customers.

Maze said she does not believe the recall will affect sales of Thomas products, but she hopes it will bring change.

"I'm hoping they'll be able to start watching the toys more closely," she said.

Cox believes the companies will begin to watch the production process more closely with everyone looking for safety issues. Customers shouldn't worry about future purchases because of the recall, he said.

adam.testa@thesouthern.com

351-5031

Recalled thomas products

• Red James Engine and Red James' #5 Coal Tender
• Red Lights and Sounds James Engine and Red James' #5 Lights and Sounds Coal Tender
• James with Team Colors Engine and James with Team Colors #5 Coal Tender
• Red Skarloey Engine
• Brown and Yellow Old Slow Coach
• Red Hook and Ladder Truck and Red Water Tanker Truck
• Red Musical Caboose
• Red Sodor Line Caboose
• Red Coal Car labeled "2006 Day Out With Thomas" on the side
• Red Baggage Car
• Red Holiday Caboose
• Red "Sodor Mail" Car
• Red Fire Brigade Truck
• Red Fire Brigade Train
• Deluxe Sodor Fire Station
• Red Coal Car
• Yellow Box Car
• Red Stop Sign
• Yellow Railroad Crossing Sign
• Yellow "Sodor Cargo Company" Cargo Piece
• Smelting Yard
• Ice Cream Factory

Consumers with these products should call the RC2 Recall Hotline at 866-725-4407 or visit the company's Web site at recalls.rc2.com. Consumers will receive a replacement product and an additional gift.

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