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View Full Version : Remember that toy recall a few days ago?


Beany
13-08-2007, 23:19
http://en.rian.ru/world/20070813/71134268.html


Chinese toy company boss commits suicide in lead paint scandal

BEIJING, August 13 (RIA Novosti) - The head of a Chinese toymaker committed suicide following a scandal in which plastic toys were recalled in the United States over dangerous lead content, a Chinese state newspaper said Monday.

Southern Metropolis Daily said Zhang Shuhong, CEO of Lee Der Industrial Co. Ltd., hanged himself in a company warehouse.

Earlier in August, U.S. toy distributor Mattel Inc. recalled 967,000 pre-school toys being sold under the Fisher-Price brand, saying the Chinese producer had used a non-approved pigment containing lead. Following the recall, China's state department for inspections and quality control banned all exports by Lee Der Industrial.

The paper quoted a company manager as saying the paint had been supplied by the CEO's best friend. The scandal has cost the Chinese toy producer, which employs around 5,000 people, around $30 million, bringing it close to bankruptcy.

Mattel Inc. produces many globally-known toy brands including Hot Wheels, Matchbox cars, and their main product, Barbie dolls. The toys produced by the Chinese manufacturer included Muppets Big Bird and Elmo, and toys from the Dora the Explorer series.

:eek:

Wowie.
Melo
13-08-2007, 23:31
Wow! :eek:
neostudded
13-08-2007, 23:45
When I saw that it made me sick!! but I dont have enough money to throw out all of the toys I have.I wonder if Julius's fisher price swing that I spent 130 bucks on has lead in it...Iam very discusted :no: :thumbsdown:
our little treasures
13-08-2007, 23:48
GOOD Lead is very poisonous. :yelclap:
Mister Noodle
14-08-2007, 00:01
Erm, I don't think suicide is good...
Harlequin
14-08-2007, 01:26
When I saw that it made me sick!! but I dont have enough money to throw out all of the toys I have.I wonder if Julius's fisher price swing that I spent 130 bucks on has lead in it...Iam very discusted :no: :thumbsdown:

I would definitely try to get them replaced if they do. :yes:

He should never have taken that paint off his friend... speaking of which, I wonder how the friend is feeling right about now... Dear me.
neostudded
14-08-2007, 04:19
Thats the thing, iam not sure which ones would be poisious I just know we have some fisher price toys in our house.
Miaow
14-08-2007, 05:32
Not good he committed suicide :no:

Neo - In regards to the recall - there is a list of the affected toys in this post ... http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=111293
Seekrit
14-08-2007, 05:47
Thats the thing, iam not sure which ones would be poisious I just know we have some fisher price toys in our house.
Most of the toys recalled were character toys - Dora, Sesame St etc.
You don't have to throw them out - that's not how recalls work, you take them back to the store for a refund or exchange.

(Also HI NOODLE!!)
~mia&ryan~
14-08-2007, 05:53
Oh my, I think it is so sad that he though suicide was his only option... Harlequin you spoke my mind, I wonder how his friend is feeling right about now.... The whole situation is awful...
QTB
14-08-2007, 05:57
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

WOW!
1+1=5
14-08-2007, 07:43
its sad that he felt he didn't another option other than death.

is this the same led scandal as the one with the thomas trains? we have a lot of thomas trains....
Blueberry Crumble
14-08-2007, 07:43
Does the article say that matchbox cars and hot wheels cars have the paint on them??????
Tam-I-Am
14-08-2007, 07:47
Again, these (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=111293) are the affected toys.

I think its incredibly tragic that this man felt he had no other options :(
ziggie
14-08-2007, 07:51
:crying: Oh, how awful! I also think it's really sad that a person has taken their own life over this.
Shanaynay
14-08-2007, 10:15
That's awful.

I think nowdays work and career is EVERYTHING to so many people. It shouldn't be like that :no:
Harlequin
14-08-2007, 10:31
It's probably a case of too much pride to just take whatever punishment was dealt out... he probably felt humiliated. The company lost millions, that's enough to push anyone over the edge imo.

Did he know about the lead when he took the paint off his friend?
Beany
14-08-2007, 10:46
You can imagine that being an owner of a company like that over there, what with the atrocious pay and conditions of the workers. And then to suddenly be as broke if not more than those he lorded it over mere days ago? And that's on top of the potential criminal charges and whatnot.

What a very grim situation.