The Maryland House of Delegates has given preliminary approval to legislation that would ban the sale of children’s products and toys that contain lead, responding to a series of recalls of lead-tainted toys from China in recent months. A final vote is expected in the next few days.

Del. James W. Hubbard, a Prince George's County Democrat, said the bill had been changed to ban products containing lead in a concentration of more than 0.06 percent of the product's total weight, up from an original version that set the level at 0.02 percent. He said the change would conform with national standards.

Del. Richard A. Sossi, a Queen Anne's County Republican, asked if the bill would apply to antique toy soldiers that might contain lead above that amount. Hubbard said the collectibles would be allowed as long as they are not sold to children under 6 years old. But, Hubbard noted: “The issue is not toy soldiers, the issue is public health.”

Sossi said he was worried about unintended consequences.