Group warns of high lead in Barbie, Disney products

WASHINGTON — Children's toys carrying the Barbie and Disney logos have turned up with high levels of lead, according to a California-based advocacy group.

The Center for Environmental Health tested about 250 children's products bought at major retailers and found lead levels exceeded federal limits in seven of them. Lead can cause irreversible brain damage.

Among those with high levels: a Barbie Bike Flair Accessory Kit, a Disney Tinkerbell Water Lily necklace, a Dora the Explorer Activity Tote, two pairs of children's shoes, a belt for boys and a kids' poncho.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown sent letters to Target, Wal-Mart and the other retailers who sold the products, warning that children's goods on their shelves were found to contain illegal levels of lead and should be pulled immediately.

The findings released Tuesday come about a year after a product-safety law ushered in strict limits on the amounts of lead in products made for children.