Mattel and Lead Paint

“Mattel Inc., the nation’s largest toy-maker recalled over 19 million toys worldwide.” This associated press release revealed that 1.5 million of these toys were used by infants. The Corporation agreed to pay a 2.3 million dollar fine in civil penalties for violating federal lead paint and product safety laws. This “total recall” of 19 million Barbie, Dora, Big Bird and other popular-branded toys was the largest in history. My investigation of Mattel’s annual revenue worldwide convinced me this 2.3 million dollar punishment was a slap in the face to families, retailers, and other consumers who purchased these Mattel products. I have children who played and chewed on these toys. This case study was my first introduction of these potentially destructive lead paint and manufacturing revelations. The commonly known fact that adding lead to paint intensifies color speeds drying time, and increases durability of surfaces should have been recognized by this corporation. Their failure to create worldwide safeguards to ban lead paint was based on profits. “Lead paint being cheaper” was put on the “back burner” in Mattel’s Global Manufacturing Principles.

The commonly known fact that adding lead and using lead paint intensifies color, speeds drying time, and increases durability was known by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Chairman Nancy A. Nord stated “this fine was the highest ever” for the agency’s product violations. Nord went on to state that “only one death occurred” and the recalls were “intentionally broad” to prevent injuries. My investigation found several shortfalls which convinced me Mattel failed to adequately protect the public. The Government ran Consumer Product Safety commission was also to blame. CPSC’s manning levels of only 400 employees were admittedly a problem. Chairman Nancy A. Ford admitted this shortfall of staff when she stated there were “not enough (employees) to focus on all product and safety issues.” Mattel’s...