Tainted toys? Free checks available - Braintree company will test for lead paint

Tiger Home Inspection will check toys this month for lead paint, a free service offered in the wake of recent toy recalls.

Sean Rizzo, marketing director of the Braintree firm, said the company decided to offer the toy inspections through the end of October, after hearing about lead contamination in toys and other imported products.

''I have two small children of my own ... and I understand the concerns and the danger it can cause,'' Rizzo said.

''It's such an easy thing for people to do and it's worth it.''

The service is free and open to anyone with concerns that a child's toy may be contaminated with lead paint.

Individuals would need to bring the toys to Tiger Home Inspections, at 969 Washington St. in Braintree, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

The inspections will be done through affiliate Panther Environmental Services, which operates from the same Washington Street location.

Rizzo and the company's other inspectors will check the toys with lead paint analyzers, a hand-held tool they use on home inspections.

''Literally it will take us a minute to do it,'' Rizzo said.

If an inspector is not available to check the item on the spot, visitors will be asked to leave the toy for testing.

Inspection results will be available within three days, Rizzo said.

''We hope that people will take advantage of this,'' Rizzo said. ''Our business is about providing inspections, reassurance and peace of mind, and we are fortunate to have the resources available to us to help out in this time of concern.''

Lead test kits for toys can also be found locally at many hardware stores. One popular do-it-yourself kit sells for $10.

Andrew Lightman of The Patriot Ledger (Quincy, Mass.) may be reached at alightman@ledger.com.