Marvel testing Curious George dolls for lead

Marvel Entertainment Group Inc. saidWednesday it was testing Curious George dolls after a consumer advocacy groupwarned thatthe dolls contained unsafe levels of lead.

The company said they have asked for test results from the Center for Environmental Health. The organization said Wednesday that the dolls contained 10 times the allowable amount of lead. The advocacy group also said lunchboxes and backpacks manufactured by Chicago-based Sassafras Enterprises contained excessive levels of lead.

High amounts of lead can harm the nervous system, kidneys and other major organs. Anemia, a decline in red blood cells, can occur, as well as damage to the nervous system that may impair mental function. At worst, lead poisoning can cause seizures or death.

In recent months, U.S. and Canadian officials have issued a series of recalls of made-in-China toys for safety problems involving lead levels and magnets.