Chinese SpongeBob books recalled over lead paint fear

An importer recalled nearly 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants address books and diaries manufactured in China because the bindings might contain hazardous levels of lead paint, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission said.

Martin Designs notified the agency that tests of the metal spiral bindings turned up lead content above the level considered safe for children, the CPSC said.

Under regulations, children’s products found to have more than .06% lead accessible to users are subject to a recall.

Children who ingest lead-laced paint can suffer brain damage. The company said it had received no reports of injury.

The recall involves address books and diaries sold in retail stores nationwide from June 2006 through July 2007. They have a black metal spiral binding and depict the SpongeBob SquarePants character in various outfits on the front cover.

The recalled address books’ UPC code, printed on the back cover, is 80773007505; the recalled journals have the UPC codes 80773002260, 80773075501 and 80773007551.