March 28, 2008

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. Christine 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 Lisa 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.