Toy safety

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanne,

Twenty-nine states have introduced bills regulating toy safety standards

because lawmakers don't think the federal bill is moving quickly enough or

is strict enough. For example, Connecticut is working to adopt a stronger

lead standard. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that the government's

doesn't protect kids.

States are also pushing for stronger labeling standards and trying to close

a loophole that allows items in a voluntary recall to remain on store

shelves. Massachusetts has banned the sale of children's jewelry containing

lead. Last summer California passed a ban on phthalates, which will go into

effect next January and as a result, a ban on phthalates is included in the

Senate version of the Product Safety Bill.

In early March, the Washington State Senate approved the strictest toy

safety rules in the nation. Just last week, fearing that the governor would

actually sign such a strong bill, representatives from Mattel and Hasboro

flew out to meet with her. The toy manufacturer's trade group, the Toy

Industry Association, claims that the new rules would make it impossible to

sell toys in that state. Our analysis: Baloney. What next? Seatbelts will

bankrupt the automotive industry?

-To read the article " States alter rules of game on safety for toy makers, "

click here.

-To read the article " Toy-safety debate continues, " click here. To read the

editorial " Gregoire should not bow to toy company threats, " click here.

-To call Gov. Gregoire (Wash.) and ask her to pass the Children's

Safe Products Bill, click here.

-To read about lawmakers in Connecticut who organized a toy-testing program

with middle school children, click here. To email Connecticut legislators

and ask them to pass their toxic toys bill, click here.

News you don't want to toy with...

Finding non-toxic toys

PBS's NOW shares advice on how to limit children's exposure to potentially

harmful chemicals, such as phthalates.

Attorney General hotline set up to address dangerous kids' products

Illinois Attorney General Madigan urged parents to call her office's

product recall hotline (888-414-7678) if they need help identifying

dangerous children's products that may be in their homes.

Senate Debates Possible Ban on Phthalates in Toys

California was the first state to ban toys and child-products that contain

more than trace amounts of phthalates. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) is

looking to expand the ban nationally as part of the Senate CPSC bill.

Plastic Easter Eggs linked to lead paint

In tests directed by Ashland University professor Jeffery Weidenhamer, his

students found high levels of lead in paint in 13 out of 45 items. The

biggest lead hazards were found in Easter egg spinning tops, plastic Easter

eggs that typically are filled at home with treats, bunny hair clips and

chick-style sipper cups.

Reebok fined $1 million for deadly lead charm

Two years after a Minneapolis boy swallowed part of a charm bracelet given

away with a pair of athletic shoes and died of lead poisoning, the shoes'

maker, Reebok, has agreed to pay the government $1 million to settle

allegations that it violated the Federal Hazardous Substances Act.

Mega Brands recall 2.4 million magnetic toys

Mega Brands recalled MagnaMan action figures and Magtastik and Magnetix Jr.

Pre-School magnetic toys . They said the magnetic parts could be swallowed

or inhaled by children.

State health council ban trinkets containing lead

The Massachusetts Public Health Council voted unanimously to ban the sale of

children's jewelry containing lead. The ban will go into effect in June.

Washington State Senate OKs nation's strictest toy safety rules

Despite last-minute intensive lobbying efforts by the toy industry, the

state Senate on Friday approved the strictest toy safety rules in the nation

with a 40-9 vote.

The Recall Roundup (click here for a more complete list of recalled toys)

- Plush Rocker Toys Recalled By Tek Nek Toys Due to Fall Hazard

- Avon Products Recalls Plush Warming Polar Bears Due to Fire and Burn

Hazards

- Educational Insights Recalls Ring Toss Games Due to Violation of Lead

Paint Standard

- Downeast Concepts Inc. Recalls Water Bottles Due to Violation of Lead

Paint Standard

- Plan Toys Inc. Recalls Toy Penguins Due to Laceration Hazard

- Hobby Lobby Stores Recalls Easter Egg Containers and Spinning Egg Tops Due

to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

- Toy Puzzle Vehicle Sets Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard;

Sold Exclusively by QVC

- Galison/Mudpuppy Recalls Wire Bound Journals and Calendars Due to

Violation of Lead Paint Standard

- MEGA Brands Recalls Magtastik and Magnetix Jr. Pre-School Magnetic Toys ;

Ingested Magnets Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

- MEGA Brands Recalls MagnaMan Magnetic Action Figures ; Ingested Magnets

Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

- Battat Recalls Additional Magnetic Construction Sets ; Ingested Magnets

Pose Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

- Toy Sundae Sets Sold at Target Recalled by Battat Inc. Due to Choking

Hazard

- Toy Airplanes, Cars, and Motorcycles Recalled by S.U. Wholesale Due to

Violation of Lead Paint Standard

- Ellaroo Recalls Infant Sling rs Due to Fall Hazard

Sincerely,

Peggy Lo

Toy Safety Online Organizer

PeggyL@...

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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