Outsourcing...

There has been a huge push for outsourcing goods and services both nationally and within states. Working in three state government systems, I understand its purpose of outsourcing, but do not necessarily agree that it's best.

So when I first read an article on the United States toy company Mattel Inc. recalling millions of toys that were made in China, I wasn't quite surprised. That's what happens when you outsource your product line to another country to save a buck or two. Would have this happened if these toys were manufactured here in the United States? I doubt it. Certain things are "brushed under the rug" in this country.

Let's first talk about the magnets coming loose on the Mattel toys. While the following example may not be directly associated with Mattel Inc., it proves how large of an issue loose magnets are on toys. In December 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported three case studies of children swallowing loose magnets from toys. The CDC released the following summary in a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR):

Building sets and toys with powerful rare-earth magnets have been marketed for use by children as young as 3 years. Among the 20 identified cases of magnet ingestion injury, the patients ranged in age from 10 months to 11 years, 6 months (mean: 5 years, 6 months; median: 4 years, 9 months--5 years); 16 (80%) of the patients were aged >3 years. Boys accounted for 16 (80%) of the patients. One fatality caused by volvulus, bowel necrosis, and sepsis was identified. Diagnoses in 15 (75%) of the cases included bowel perforations; bowel obstruction and peritonitis each were cited in four cases, and volvulus was cited in three cases. Of the 14 cases for which such data were available, hospital stays ranged from 3 to 19 days (mean: 8.7 days); at least five patients required intensive care.

Among the 20 patients, two children each swallowed 15 magnets; the other 18 children swallowed from one (plus a nonmagnetic metal piece) to nine magnets. In 12 cases, magnets had been dislodged from toy pieces; in three cases, entire magnetic pieces were swallowed intact. Ten children swallowed magnets from their own toys, three swallowed magnets from an older sibling's toy, and three swallowed magnets from toys at day care facilities or school. At least five of the children swallowed magnets or magnetic pieces intentionally, including two who thought they were candy and one who swallowed three magnets on a dare. Five children had potentially relevant conditions, including autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, developmental delays, and neurologic disorder.

So Mattel Inc. is now just recalling toys with magnets...nearly eight months after the MMWR was released...

Moving on to the toys with lead-based paint. That is completely unacceptable. There are reasons why paints are no longer lead-based.

This was a huge oversight for Mattel Inc. What else have they missed outsourcing their products? Makes me think twice about giving any of their toys to my friends who have kids.