Leveling out
The U.S. Senate ban on lead in children’s products may not fully protect the little ones in your life.
It certainly took them long enough. Last month, the U.S. Senate finally passed a bill banning the addition of lead in toys and other products designed for children. But before we all breathe a collective sigh of relief, there are a few disturbing things you need to know about this new legislation.
First of all, it only passed through the Senate by a vote of 89-3. I say “only” because the fact that it wasn’t completely unanimous boggles my mind: Who are these three senators who oppose getting a toxic substance out of children’s reach? I fear for the people who live in their states (and hope that none of them were from Maryland).
Along those same lines, the article I read stated that although the president is expected to sign it, “the Bush Administration has objected to certain parts of the bill.” What parts, exactly? The ones where we keep our nations’ children out of harm’s way? Forgive me if I don’t see the objectionable aspects the Bush insiders are apparently whining about.
But even more disturbing than these cavalier attitudes about the safety of our children is the fact that this “ban” is really anything but. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, as the bill is called, still allows for “tiny levels of lead in products for children 12 or younger.”
Tiny levels? Something tells me that “tiny” doesn’t mean “zero.” And in that case, those three senators voting against this legislation may as well have been the majority. ANY level of lead in products for kids is just plain unacceptable. But since the powers that be don’t seem to agree, for the time being, it’s still up to you to monitor the types of products your children and grandchildren are exposed to. Vending-machine jewelry and other metallic products — particularly imported ones you find in discount or dollar stores — are the primary causes for concern (things like toys and zippers).
And while you may not be able to avoid products containing lead entirely (or even know which ones contain it to begin with), you can limit your child’s risk somewhat by making sure they keep things out of their mouths, by not buying cheaply made metal toys, and by just saying no at those vending machines.
Source:
“U.S. Senate passes bill banning lead from children’s products,” HealthDay (www.healthday.com), 8/2/08
