Lead

May 21, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today celebrated the signing of LD 2048, "An Act to Protect Children's Health and the Environment from Toxic Chemicals in Toys and Children's Products.” The Governor commended House Majority Leader Representative Hannah Pingree for her continued leadership in the area consumer product safety.

“Thanks to the partnership developed between the Administration, our Legislative leadership and dedicated advocates, Maine is a leader in protecting our children from harmful chemicals,” said Governor Baldacci.

The Governor said that encouraging the use of safer chemicals that provide increased protection to human health and the environment supports innovation and economic opportunity.    » read more »

Strengthens Consumer Notifications; Requires Warning Labels for Toys Containing Lead, Magnets and Liquids

May 13, 2008 -- New York Governor Paterson today announced the submission of legislation to keep dangerous toys and other products out of children’s hands.

Galison/Mudpuppy Wire Bound Journals and Calendars Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

The “Children’s Product Safety and Recall Effectiveness Act of 2008” will protect New York children from unsafe toys and durable juvenile products (such as cribs, car seats, high chairs, playpens or other similar items) that may be available to consumers even after they have been recalled.    » read more »

May 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take additional measures to limit Americans’ exposure to lead air pollution.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, Senator Clinton urged the agency to limit lead levels in the air to no more than 0.20 micrograms per cubic meter as part of the new rule to improve the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead—the level recommended by both the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee (CASAC) and the EPA scientific staff.

Senator Hillary Clinton: Photo by Keith Kissel (CC)    » read more »

April 18 , 2008 -- Chicago – Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced her office alerted the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to dangerous lead levels detected in hip-charm keychains manufactured exclusively for Wal-Mart stores. As a result, the CPSC and Wal-Mart issued a recall this morning, and the company has removed the product from store shelves.

Attorney General Madigan urged parents to take away the “No Boundaries Hip Charm” keychain from their children immediately. Consumers can call 1-800-WAL-MART for additional information, including instructions on how to obtain a refund.    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Push Toys Recalled by Santa’s Toy Corp. Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Western Rider Push Toys

Units: About 9,000

Importer: Santa’s Toy Corp., of Los Angeles, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paint on the glove, shirt, and pants of rider toy contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Michaels Stores Recalls Seasonal Writing Pens Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Flower Writers; Christmas Writers; Easter Writers; and Spooky Writers Seasonal Writing Pens

Units: About 310,000

Distributor: Michaels Stores Inc., of Irving, Texas

Hazard: The seasonal writing pens' surface coating contains high levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

FUNTASTIC Recalls Fake Teeth Due To Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Hillbilly Teeth

Units: About 26,000

Importer: FUNTASTIC, of Houston, Texas

Hazard: The gray surface paint on the teeth contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

April 9, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

OKK Trading Recalls Toy Robots Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Interchange Robot Toys

Units: About 2,000

Importer/Retailer: OKK Trading Inc., of Commerce, Calif.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

April 3, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Children’s ‘Main Street Drag’ Sunglasses Recalled by StyleMark Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Children’s Sunglasses

Units: About 144,000

Importer/Distributor: StyleMark Inc., of Ormond Beach, Fla.

Hazard: Surface paint in the orange lettering on the temples of the sunglasses contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

April 1, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Lock and Leash™ Locks

Master Lock recalls Lock and Leash™ locks due to violation of lead paint standardUnits: About 27,000

Importer: Master Lock, of Oak Creek, Wis.

Manufacturer: Fullyear-Brother Enterprise Co. Ltd, of Taiwan

Hazard: Red surface paint on the locks contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.    » read more »

Action will protect health and safety of children

April 1, 2008 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today signed landmark legislation to protect children from unsafe toys. House Bill 2647, the Children’s Safe Products Act, was sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Dickerson, D-Seattle.

Toys: (Photo CC Brent Moore)

Surrounded by youngsters and other bill supporters, the governor noted that the health of young Washingtonians is one of her top priorities.    » read more »

March 31, 2008 -- House Oversight Committee Chairman Henry A. Waxman released the following statement in response to EPA’s issuance of a final rule on lead renovation, repair, and painting:

“The new lead rule cuts too many corners. It won’t provide the comprehensive protection for children that the law requires.    » read more »

March 31, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today issued the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to require lead-safe practices during the renovation and repair of housing, child-care facilities, and schools:    » read more »

BALTIMORE, MD (March 18, 2008) -- Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that the Ameridel Investment Corporation T/A Delta Property Management, located at 205 East 28th Street in Baltimore has been convicted in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City with illegally submitting a false lead certificate to the Maryland Department of the Environment. Judge Timothy J. Doory imposed a fine of $30,000 of which $20,000 was suspended, five years probation, and ordered the company to cooperate with the Maryland Department of the Environment’s Lead Program.

In addition, the company must pay the costs of bringing all properties owned or managed by the company or Gedeon Thomadis into full compliance with lead paint risk reduction requirements.    » read more »

March 18, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Galison/Mudpuppy Wire Bound Journals and Calendars Recalled Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

Name of Product: Wire-O Bound Journals and Calendars

Units: About 90,000

Manufacturer: Galison/Mudpuppy, of New York, N.Y.    » read more »