Toy Safety: Lead testing kits and more recalls

[Omaha Steve]

Cub Scout Totem Badges, Halloween Pails, and Football Bobble Head Cake Decorations. These are just a few of the long list of items that have been recalled in October.

Given the sheer amount of recalls issued due to excessive lead content, you'd think every parent would need a lead testing kit. Of course that's unrealistic. The sad news is that it might not even help.

The CPSC warns that they are unreliable , but the Consumers Union (they publish the Consumer Safety Reports) found that three of them were useful though limited screening tools.

The Steelworkers Union has also issued a sharp rebuttal of the CPSC findings. U.S. PIRG Consumer Program Director Ed Mierzwinski says lead testing kits shouldn't be your primary defense against lead paint. I agree.

The best defense is a good offense. We are going to release our annual "Trouble in Toyland" toy safety report on November 20. The report will highlight potentially dangerous toys and tips for holiday shopping.

We are also working with the House and Senate on tough legislation to ban lead in all children's toys, give CPSC the money and power it needs to protect consumers, and increase surveillance of imported products.

News You Don't Want To Toy With

The SEIU targeted Toys 'R' Us this week, calling on the mega-store to stop selling dangerous toys and start requiring its suppliers to adhere to a strict, verifiable code of conduct. They also want to pressure KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co), the major stakeholder in Toys 'R' Us and Dollar General, to step up and tighten their own safety standards. Read more...

Governor Schwarzenegger signed our bill banning the use of phthalates in children's products. Phthalates are chemicals used to help form plastics, but pose long-term developmental and other hazards. Lawmakers in other states are expected to introduce similar legislation and Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) wants this to become a national ban. Thank you to everyone in California who emailed the governor urging him to sign this bill. Read more...

The FDA voted to ban the use of some popular over-the-counter cough and cold medicines for children under the age of 6. These products were never adequately tested, don't have a proven medical use and pose even greater risks when parents use them, for example, to sedate children. Read more about the ban... Read more about the recall

The Recall Round Up (partial list- click here for a more complete list of toy recalls) :

-Family Dollar Stores Recalls Halloween Pails Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
-DecoPac Inc. Recalls Football Bobble Head Cake Decorations Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
-Jo-Ann Stores Expands Recall of Children's Toy Garden Tools Due to Violation of Lead in Paint Standard
-Fisher Price Recalls Go Diego Go Boat Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
-Serious Head Injuries Prompt Recall of Bumbo Baby Sitter Seats - New Warnings and Instructions to Be Provided To Consumers
-Dollar Tree Stores Inc. Recalls Children's Jewelry Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
-Children's Metal Jewelry Recalled By WeGlow International Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
-Game Pieces Sold with "Cars" Backpacks Recalled By Global Design Concepts; Detached Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards.

Tell your family and friends about the toy safety update...


Sincerely,

Peggy Lo
Toy Safety Online Organizer
[e-mail]
http://www.toysafety.net

P.S. Thanks again for your support. Please feel free to share this e-mail with your family and friends.

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