Doug Gansler (D)
BALTIMORE (Legal Newsline) -- In a move applauded by the Maryland attorney general, two retailers have suspended the sale of a toy game bag that was found to have excessive levels of lead paint.
Big Lots Stores, Inc. and Dollar General Corporations have removed the "Elmo's Take-Along Card Games" bag from sale following an investigation into lead levels by the attorney general's office. The companies have also agreed to accept returns of the product.
"I am pleased that Big Lots and Dollar General have agreed to remove these potentially dangerous products from their store shelves," Attorney General Doug Gansler said in a statement. "I encourage any consumers who purchased these game bags to stop using them and to return them to the store where they were purchased."
The Maryland Department of the Environment tested the bags, revealing their high lead levels.
After the test results came in, the attorney general sent letters to Big Lots and Dollar General, requesting an end to the sale of the game bag. Both companies immediately agreed to stop sales in their Maryland stores.
Refunds will be provided to consumers who purchased the game bags in Maryland stores. In addition, posters will be placed in local stores to inform consumers that high lead levels were found in the product and that they can be returned at Maryland Big Lots and Dollar General stores, the statement said.