Let me clear up some misinformation provided by other posters. First, some LEGO products are painted, including DUPLO toys, which are geared toward children under five. Thomas & Friends and Bob the Builder LEGO sets DO contain some painted parts, as do various mini-figures and Star Wars, Batman, and Spider-Man sets. Second, some LEGO toys are manufactured in China. I'm copying this directly from a Thomas & Friends Spencer and Sir Topham Hatt set, which states: "Components made in DENMARK, HUNGARY, CHINA and the CZECH REPUBLIC." Third, LEGO has recalled some of its products within the past eighteen months for other reasons--so the company is not beyond reproach.

One reason I've not given the Thomas & Friends LEGO sets to my nephew, who adores the characters, is the fact that some LEGO components are manufactured in China--and it's the painted pieces that I'm most worried about. I acknowledge that LEGO has stringent standards and I wouldn't expect the company to announce a recall of its products manufactured in China, but let's be honest, did we expect Mattel and the other companies to do the same this year? I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop and that's why I've been reluctant to give this toy to my nephew. I'd like to conclude that the toys LEGO produces are safe products and that there is little reason for you or your mom to be worried about your brother's welfare when playing with its toys. However, it is wrong for other people to say that LEGO doesn't manufacture ANY of its toys in China, nor is it correct to say that LEGO doesn't contain painted pieces or finally, to proclaim that LEGO toys haven't been recalled. That's ignorant or misinformed.

Here is a link to an enormous list of recalled toys from the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/toy.html

Here is a link to LEGO recall announcement from September 2006 re DUPLO toy trucks:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06262.html