WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: U-shaped Magnets, Bar Magnets, Magnet Sets and Magnet Needle Sets

Units: About 40,000

Importer: Pacific Science Supplies Inc., of Bensenville, Ill

Hazard: The paint on the magnets can contain excess levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: Magnets included in the recall:

• “Large” and “Small” U-shaped Magnets: These magnets are in the shape of a “U” or horseshoe. One half of each magnet is painted red and is imprinted with the letter “N”; the other half is painted blue, and is imprinted with the letter “S”.



• “Large” and “Miniature” Bar Magnets: These magnets are in the shape of a bar. The magnets are painted half red and half white. The red half is imprinted with the letter “N” and the white half is imprinted with the letter “S”.



• Magnet Sets: This set contains a small u-shaped magnet, two small bar magnets, and two small compasses. All magnets are painted half red and half white. The red half is imprinted with the letter “N” and the white half is imprinted with the letter “S”. The package is labeled “Magnets & Compasses.”



• Magnet Needle Sets: This set contains 10 sets of small cone-shape bases and elongated-diamond-shaped magnets which can be fastened into the bases. The magnets are painted half red and half white.

Sold through: Distributors nationwide which sell to educational institutions, including colleges, high schools and middle schools. A small number were sold through educational stores nationwide from April 2000 through February 2008 for about $9.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled magnets and contact the firm to receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Pacific Science Supplies Inc. at (800) 530-1500 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.pacsciusa.com