The production of lead paint toys was banned in the US in 1978, due to the associated risk of lead paint poisoning. Despite this, at regular intervals over the last few years toys have been recalled by US toy companies, as they contained dangerous highly levels of lead paint. Many of these products were made in China for large toy companies such as Mattel. The maximum amount of lead permitted in painted products is governed by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Paint with higher levels of lead is considerably cheaper, and in an effort to reduce costs has been used by some companies during toy production. Lead paint dust is dangerous as it can lead to lead paint poisoning. It can affect people of all ages, but children under six years old are the most vulnerable as they absorb seven times more ingested lead than adults do. Effects of lead paint poisoning include hyperactivity, nausea, seizures, and in extreme cases, even death.