This week, CPSC staff issued a warning about worn vinyl baby bibs.

There is a potential risk of lead exposure from baby bibs with cracked or peeling vinyl surfaces. This consumer alert applies only to used baby bibs that are worn or have deteriorated. Pieces of vinyl containing lead could pose a hazard to infants if they are swallowed. CPSC staff recommends that parents and caregivers discard bibs that are in poor condition to avoid any potential exposure to lead from swallowed vinyl.

Some vinyl materials, including those used as the front or back of baby bibs, contain lead compounds as part of their formulation. Acting on information provided by and in cooperation with the New York and Illinois Attorney Generals’ Offices, CPSC recently tested a wide range of bibs from various retailers nationwide.

The CPSC staff’s risk assessment concludes that none of the bibs that were tested at CPSC’s laboratory would pose a risk of substantial illness to children from mouthing. However, if the condition of a vinyl bib deteriorates to the point that a baby could pull or bite off and swallow a piece of vinyl containing lead, then the amounts of lead consumed could approach levels of concern.

CPSC staff therefore advises parents and caregivers to stop using vinyl bibs in such condition. In the CPSC staff’s view, this step could effectively prevent any significant risk of exposure to lead from these products. This precaution would also protect infants from the risk of choking on loose pieces of vinyl.

There have been no reported injuries involving these bibs.

Also this week, CPSC announced several recalls.

Payless ShoeSource Inc., voluntarily recalled about 690,000 Children’s Airwalk Compel Shoes.

Plastic rivets used to attach the strap to the shoe can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children. Payless has received one report of a child who began to choke on a detached rivet. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves Airwalk Compel clog shoes sold in prewalk sizes 3 through toddler size 10. The flexible shoes have air ventilation holes on the top and side and plastic rivets with the Airwalk logo attached to the strap.

The shoes were sold at Payless ShoeSource and Pamida stores nationwide and Payless.com from August 2006 through early April 2007 for about $13.

Consumers should take the shoes away from young children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a refund or exchange.

For additional information, consumers can call Payless at (800) 654-0697, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.payless.com.

In other recalls news, Battat Inc. Recalled about 300,000 Parents Magazine Record A Voice Toy Cell Phones.

The metal pin inside the hinge of the cell phone flip-top can fall out, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Battat has received 54 reports of the metal pin falling out of the hinge. In two cases, consumers reported finding the pin inside a child’s mouth, with one child receiving a cut in the mouth.

The toy cell phone plays different songs, sound effects and user recorded messages. They were sold in polka dot, swirl, floral and stripe patterns, and the Parents logo is visible inside the flip-top and on the battery compartment cover. Check with Battat to see if your phone is included in this recall.

The toy phones were sold at Target stores nationwide from September 2006 to January 2007 for about $8.

Consumers should take these toy cell phones away from young children immediately and contact Battat to receive a replacement product or refund.

For additional information consumers can call Battat, Inc. at (800) 247-6144.

You’ll find complete information about all the recalls announced by CPSC this week at www.cpsc.gov. Subscribe to CPSC’s podcast at major podcast sites, such as iTunes. It is a great way to keep up-to-date about CPSC news and recalls. And until next time, stay safe.

End.