Chinese pencils now on the health agenda

The latest recall of products made in China involves thousands of sets of pencils for children.

Authorities in Canada have issued the recall because the pencils have a high lead content in the coating.

Health Canada says the sets have more than 600 milligrams of lead per kilogram, which means they cannot be sold or advertised, but they have nevertheless apparently been on shop shelves since January this year.

The pencils do not pose a risk unless a child chews or sucks on them,which of course most children do and Health Canada has warned that even short-term exposure to high lead levels can cause vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, coma or even death.

The Health ministry and the Canadian subsidiary of the U.S. firm which distributes the pencils have issued the "voluntary recall" of 16 models of Favor Set brand pencils as a precautionary measure; the pencils are sold in various stores across Canada.

Approximately 140,000 units are involved in the recall and although there have been no reported incidents to date the ministry has warned that they should be taken away from children immediately.

The recall is the latest in a series of recalls of hazardous products made in China which have reached stores in North America.

It was just last month that the U.S. toy company Mattel recalled almost 18 million toys made in China because of suspected high levels of lead paint and Fisher Price,a subsidiary of Mattel's, also recalled Chinese made toys at the beginning of August.