JustGreen Calls for State Action on Toxics in Kids Products

Posted on Feb 13, 2009

As of this Tuesday, February 10th, the federal government requires companies to limit lead and phthalates in products intended for children under the age of 12. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has delayed testing requirements, but companies are still required to remove children's products that exceed the standards of 600 parts per million of lead.

Today, JustGreen Partners gathered at the State Legislative Office Building to report on what they found on store shelves, and to renew their call for broader action to protect children from toxic dangers. The good news is that lead is not appearing in many of the kinds of products Clean New York previously found lead in during toy testing over past several years.

The bad news is that other chemicals, which have not been addressed by the federal government remain in many products, and many ceramic items meant for children contain high levels of lead - as much as 18,000 parts per million, more than 20 times the amount allowed by law. This lead is in the printed images on the surface of the mugs and bowls, and therefore directly accessible to small hands.

For more information, see JustGreen's news release here.

We urge people to email Governor Paterson and encourage him to work with the Assembly and Senate to pass broader reforms.