Toymaker Schylling Associates has announced that they are recalling approximately 24,000 Thomas & Friends spinning tops manufactured between June 2001 and July 2002 because the Chinese-made (shocking!) toys had wooden handles covered with lead paint. But here’s the interesting rub — it seems Schylling may have known about the lead paint for five years but failed to issue a recall:

In researching its records after inquiries from the Tribune, Jim Leonard, the company’s chief operating officer, said Schylling found a June 2002 test report showing that the Thomas & Friends top contained lead paint on its wooden knob. That led the company a month later to make the switch to plastic.

Asked why the company did not recall the toy at that time, Leonard said, “I can’t answer that. … I had just started here.”

Leonard wins the worst spin by a COO award! Somehow I don’t think his “golly, gee willakers, I don’t know!” excuse is going to fly with parents (or their attorneys).

As an extra precaution, Schylling is also recalling similar Curious George and Circus Top tops that were sold around the same time. If you think you have one of these toys, contact the company at 800-767-8697 or info@schylling.com.

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