November 8, 2007

Today the CPSC issued a recall for Aqua Dots after children fell seriously ill after eating them. Aqua Dots are tiny beads that fuse together to form artworks after they come in contact with water. Apparently the chemical used to prevent water-soluble glues from becoming sticky before they are needed breaks down to become GHB- a banned date rape drug- when swallowed. The New York Times traces the story from the first incident on Oct. 5 to the recall issued today.

Earlier this week Fisher-Price -which is owned by Mattel- issued a recall of its Laugh and Learn kitchens because children could choke on several small, detachable parts. This was Mattel's fifth large scale recall in four months. Meanwhile, Amazon.com pulled the Fisher-Price medical kit off their website because an article in Consumer Reports raised concerns about the possible level of lead in the toy's blood pressure cuff.

Last week a Washington Post article revealed that top officials at the CPSC repeatedly went on costly trips at industry expense. Acting Chairman Nancy Nord publicly defended their review process but ethics experts called their review process weak and superficial. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) has introduced the "Restoring Truth in Regulator Travel Act" to end all travel by federal regulators at the expense of industries they regulate.

This month we are launching our Corporate Safety Challenge Campaign to convince America's corporations to improve their practices and persuade our government to hold wrongdoers accountable.

News You Don't Want to Toy With

Parents seek resources for American-made toys
Illinois PIRG Director Brian Imus appears in an ABC News segment about the search for safer toys. Click here to view the segment.

Bush announces import action plan
The White House announced a 14 point plan but did not attach budget and personnel numbers to their plan. Read our take on his plan.

New York Times editorial calls for strong CPSC reform
The editors urged Congressional reform of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and calls for a fix to the current part of the law that allows manufacturers to control the release of information about their dangerous products. Read our take on Section 6(b).

Dingell, Barton Introduce House CPSC Reform Bill
The "Consumer Product Safety Modernization Act of 2007" was introduced on November first. Click here to read more.

Senate Committee approves CPSC reform
The Senate Commerce Committee approved a strong version of the CPSC Reform Act. U.S. PIRG's Ed Mierzwinski testified at a hearing for this bill earlier this month. Read his blog here.

The Recall Round Up (click here for a more complete list of recalled toys) 
   -Cribs Sold By Bassettbaby Recalled Due to Entrapment and Strangulation Hazard 
   -Spin Master Recalls Aqua Dots - Children Became Unconscious After Swallowing Beads
   -Schylling Associates Recalls Dizzy Ducks Music Box Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard
   -Additional Spinning Top Recalled by Schylling Associates Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard
   -Schylling Associates Recalls Duck Family Collectable Toy Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard 
   -International Sourcing Ltd. Recalls Toy Dragster and Funny Car Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard 
   -Northern Tool & Equipment Recalls "Big Red" Wagons Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard 
   -Swimways Corp. Recalls "Skippy" Pool Toys Due to Laceration Hazard 
   -Laugh & LearnT Kitchen Toys Recalled by Fisher-Price Due To Choking Hazard