Thankfully, my big bears have been my strongest sellers and there are very few of my bears in circulation which contain Lead. Yet, despite the dangers that I see Lead presenting to all involved, I still see many new Bears being made and sold with Lead filling.  

Was I perhaps overstating the risk when I stopped making bears filled with leadshot? Am I wrong now in actively seeking your support to rid our Industry of Lead?  You be the judge as I set a case for ending the practice of filling bears with Leadshot. 

Even in this modern age when the risks are known and well publicised, people continue to use Leadshot as a filling for teddy-bears. In many instances the use is casual and the risks are unknown but it is perhaps time that craft suppliers looked to selling this dangerous product with labelling which outlines the risk of using Lead (or preferably, look to phasing it out all together) , that teddy-bear makers stopped using it as a filling and that bear collectors ceased demanding Lead filled bears. 

Lead poisoning is the No 1 environmental poison in Australia. 
That fact is, of itself, little known. Studies conducted in New South Wales during the late 80’s suggested that one in 20 children had lead present in their bloodstream at "elevated levels" (whatever that means). In the USA, the number is believed to be as high as 1 in 10 of children having dangerous levels of Lead in their system.  The tragedy is that it is a preventable poisoning, provided adults are aware of the danger Lead presents. 

Why Lead is Poisonous. 
When lead enters your system, the body mistakes it for the very useful calcium, so necessary for normal brain, muscle and bone development. Enzymes that normally would attract calcium attract the lead instead and fail to do their jobs properly, if at all.  
With a lot of environmental poisons, the human system works, over time, to break them down and remove  
them from the system.  
cont............ 
 

There are quite a number of websites, mostly American, devoted to educating the public to the dangers Lead presents to the children of the world. The most comprehensive website is that run by the US Public Health Service

 

This is only partially the case with Lead. Medical treatment can remove lead from the bloodstream but once it has been deposited in the brain, most of it remains there forever. The body cannot rid itself of this  lead because it has no way of doing so. Lead is an element, the last link in the chain if you like, and our system has no way of breaking an element up ; it stays in the brain, causing disruption to normal function for the rest of the victim’s life. To date, there is no antidote for lead poisoning of the brain and though the symptoms may be modified, the victim is poisoned for life. 
 

"The case against Lead was made years ago, by Health professionals all around the world. Let’s make ’99 the year we rid teddy-bears of Lead and go into the new century with one less danger to our children."

What body functions does Lead disrupt? 
The first symptoms of lead poisoning are usually neurological; damage to the brain and the nervous system. Kidney damage follows quickly, then muscle and bone growth is inhibited. Muscle coordination is affected finally and death can occur in acute cases when the heart muscle and the respiratory nervous system are damaged. 

What are the Symptoms? 
The symptoms of lead poisoning  depend very much on your age.
 

If the victim is a child, the 
symptoms include learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, diminished intelligence, behavioural problems, poor speech and learning skills, poor co-ordination, lower bone density, retarded physical growth, loss of hearing and finally, in extreme cases, death. 
. 
For adults the list is different, 
but no less frightening. Miscarriage, or damage to the fetus, fertility problems, muscle and joint pain, digestive tract problems, high blood pressure, loss of memory and finally an inability to concentrate for any given period. 

Why is Lead used in Teddy-Bears? 
Usually, because that is what was sold by the supplier. The buyer may be unaware of the risks or perhaps knowingly chose to ignore them, passing the problem on to an unsuspecting member of the public. The primary reason it continues to be sold and used is I believe, economics. Though more suitable products are available (i.e. glass beads and stainless steel shot) they come at a price much higher than Lead. It has been suggested that the reason it is sold is that some Artists and consumers prefer Lead for the additional feeling of "substance" lead provides over the alternatives of glass and stainless steel. I too admit to liking that weighty feel but when the risks are weighed up, my view is that this benefit is so far out-weighed as to be insignificant. 
 
 

Individually, we can all play a part in ridding our industry of this lethal toxin. Here are some suggestions for things we can all do, starting right now, to reduce the possibility of Lead poisoning. 

If you are a Teddy Bear collector, 
consider not purchasing Teddy-Bears filled with leadshot. If the teddy is not labelled, ask the bearsmith what materials have been used and get it written on the hangtag. If the hangtag lists lead as a component, ask the Bearsmith if they would be prepared to replace the Lead with glass bead or stainless steel shot. If the Bearsmith refuses your request explain why you feel you cannot buy the bear;  Lead is a dangerous environmental toxin. 

If you are a teddy-bear maker, seek an alternative filling that suits your style of bearmaking and/or the pattern of the teddy-bear. If the Lead was sold as part of a kit, ask the supplier to replace the Lead with either glass bead or stainless steel shot. If you continue to use the substance, use a mask and gloves when handling the product. Do not eat or smoke until you have finished with it and store it in a locked container. Vaccuum any spilt shot and ensure your house is a "no-go" zone for children and pets when leadshot is being used. Do your "stuffing" in an appropriate place; the kitchen table is NOT the place to be using Lead. Label your Bears appropriately and warn the purchaser of the potential health risk your Bear presents, especially to children. Finally, ensure you have regular blood tests; let your medical practitioner know that you work with Lead and ask him to monitor your health for signs of Lead poisoning as the earliest symptoms may go unnoticed by you.  

If you are a Supplier of materials to the Industry, 
start working on a plan to phase this product out of your range and stock an alternative or even a range of alternatives. If you continue to sell it, observe the minimum standards of handling as outlined for bearmakers above. Label the product clearly and identify the product as a dangerous substance. It may be wise to also take the time to talk to your legal adviser as the sale of the product may require you to meet certain standards under the Trade Practices legislation here in Australia. Finally, ensure you (or the staff member handling Lead) also have regular blood tests 

If you are a collector, seek to identify the Bears in your collection which contain Lead. Ensure they are labelled correctly and prohibit them being handled. Keep them out of the reach of children and think very carefully about what you would like done with them if they should ever leave your possession. As a person who initially used lead in a limited range of small bears,  I would welcome you talking to me about a permanent solution to your individual problem. 
 

The case against Lead was made years ago, by Health professionals all round the world. Let’s make ’99 the year we rid teddy-bears of Lead and go into the new century with one less danger to our children. 
 

Chris Baskerville 
BaskerBears