Aug. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Four U.S. toy companies recalled more than 340,000 products made in China ranging from spinning Curious George tops to SpongeBob SquarePants journals due to lead-content levels that can be toxic for young children.

The paint on bindings of SpongeBob journals and address books can contain more lead than is safe, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said today. Thomas & Friends tin pails, Children's Divine Inspiration charm bracelets and Toby & Me jewelry also have too much lead, it said.

No injuries have been reported to the closely held companies, the agency said in statements. The announcements come after Mattel Inc., the world's biggest toymaker, recalled more than 20 million Chinese-made items this month. The world's most populous nation makes 80 percent of the toys sold in the U.S.

Since reports that some Chinese products are unsafe, China has defended the quality of its exports and pledged to improve controls.

Martin Designs Inc., based in Ashland, Ohio, is recalling about 250,000 SpongeBob SquarePants items that were sold between June 2006 and July 2007. The cartoon character appears on Viacom Inc.'s Nickelodeon cable-television channel for children.

Surface paints on more than 70,000 spinning tops and tin pails may have excessive levels of lead and should be returned. The items feature cartoon characters Thomas & Friends, Curious George and others and were imported by Schylling Associates Inc., based in Rowley, Massachusetts. They were sold until July 2002.

Charm bracelets distributed by Buy-Rite Designs Inc. of Freehold, New Jersey, and sold in dollar stores should be brought back too.

Jewelry sets distributed by New York-based Toby N.Y.C. and sold at TJX Cos.'s T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and A.J. Wright locations should be returned, the agency said.

Lead may be toxic if ingested by children and can lead to serious health effects, the CPSC said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mark Clothier in Atlanta at mclothier@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 22, 2007 16:20 EDT