China makes things. Indeed, in its 6,000 years, the Middle Country has invented some firsts: kites, rudders, gunpowder, toilet paper, and ice cream. Nowadays, the made-in-China label is under closer scrutiny, and the latest inspection comes after Mattel Inc. recalled more than a million preschool toys because of lead paint.

The costly $30 million move had buzz scrambling in the toy box, tossing cumulative searches for "fisher price recall" and "mattel recall" into the top 25 the day after the news emerged. Consumers, mostly women, also checked to see if specific toys made the "toy recall list," such as Dora the Explorer and Elmo. Others recalled other recalls, including those for Easy Bake oven, Baby Swing Rainforest, and Thomas The Train. Lead paint also prompted the little engine to stop in its distribution tracks.

China, which is doing everything from construction to seeding clouds to prepare for its Beijing Olympics, has moved more speedily in the public relations to defend its rep. The meager spikes for "china toy recall" and "made in china" seem to focus less on overseas manufacturing, even though news reports point out that China makes about 70% of the toys sold in America.

Instead, as in the case of the 'Booty recall, buzz behavior has focused more on American regulatory agencies like the "consumer product safety commission" (1,346%). The U.S. and China have agreed on standards, but searchers are making sure their own government learns how to play it safe.