LilSugar

Lead Testing Law: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

LilSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:00:23 -0800

H.R. 4040, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), was passed by Congress last year and requires retailers to test merchandise for lead. This pertains to any item for children 12 and under including toys, clothes and jewelry. It goes into effect on February 10, 2009 and while many parents champion the measure to keep kids safe, opponents are upset that it may put second hand, consignment and independent handmade retailers (which are popular in the current economy) out of business as testing products can be pricey. What's your opinion?

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Mommy Alert! EU Attempts to Make Toys Safer

babysugar — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:00:21 -0800

Since there were so many toy recalls last year, it's no surprise that actions are being taken to try and outlaw unsafe toys. And, The European Union is at the forefront of the mission.

According to a Reuter's report,

"The European Union's industry chief is proposing a crackdown on toys containing lead paint or carcinogens across the bloc and wants to stop toys being used as gifts in food items such as confectionary and cereals. . . While exact levels for each component have yet to be formally agreed, the source said the move would all but eliminate substances such as lead and nickel from toys, much to the annoyance of industry."

To see what the toy industry's reaction was, read more.

Toy Industries Europe (TIE), which represents toy manufacturers like Hasbro, Mattel, and Hornby, claimed that current standards are acceptable and that proposed changes to those standards need to be backed by scientific evidence.

The proposal also would place restrictions on toys found in foods. In addition to eliminating lead and nickel, the toys would have to be free of perfume and from substances that promote cancer.

The Enterprise Commissioner Guenther Verheugen is said to have his proposals ready for the European Union and their Parliament by January 25.

Do you think legislation like this could ever pass in the US?

Baby Wellness: Lead Poisoning

babysugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 09:30:30 -0800

When I think of lead poisoning, I think of old paint peeling off the wall. It can actually be a silent enemy. Just yesterday, a family in Utah discovered that their little girl has been affected by lead - not from sucking on a recalled toy, but from plates in their kitchen. And, the scary thing is that the girl wasn't the one eating off of them. Her mother was passing it on to her daughter by breastfeeding. I don't know about you, but I only worried about my food and drink consumption while I was nursing. I'll know better next time.

Lead poisoning can cause nausea, constipation, stomach aches, and headaches in the short term. Long-term effects include behavior, learning, and physical development issues . If you live in an old home that has old paint, it might be a good idea to talk to your pediatrician about testing your child's lead level. I'm taking my own daughter in for her test next week.

The plates were made by Home Trends and were sold at Wal-Mart over three years ago. They do not sell those particular plates anymore, but they still carry the line.

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