Hannah Montona may be poisoning your children, thought not through her syrupy-sweet music. Instead, the Center for Environmental Health in Oakland has discovered alarmingly high levels of lead in some of the products featuring the tween sensation. By the way, you'll never, ever believe where these products are made.

Sure enough, the offending backpacks, wallets and other merchandise where manufactured in China. Gasp! The center conducted a study and discovered that the levels of lead are higher than feder, state and industry standards. The federal standard for paint lead levels is 660 ppm. The Girls Rock backpack (sold at Walmart) and Secret Star wallet (available at Toys R Us) both showed a lead content of 1,800 ppm to 8,300 ppm. Ironically those two retailers have vowed to crackdown on lead standards and test products for safety.

Among all of the fun effects toxic amounts of lead can have on children are the potential of developing Attentioni Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), lower scores on tests designed to determine IQ, standardized reading and math achievement levels, as well as problems with the memory.

Meanwhile Disney, the ones responsible for bringing us Hannah defended the selling of products bearing their logo.

"We require all licensed producers of products using Disney characters to test their products and to comply with all applicable product safety laws and standards," the company said in a statement Tuesday.

Good job Disney, you're doing a bang-up job ensuring the safety of children across North America!

» Los Angeles Times