We may be experiencing a new beginning in toy safety in this country–the State of Maryland’s house of delegates voted
132-4 to begin its own state testing of toys for lead. Apparently, this move so worried China that Beijing sent a letter about the issue, challenging the state’s right to enforce international trade regulations. California, Illinois and Michigan have similar legislation pending. Lead testing of toys is one clear example when there should be governmental regulations–strict ones. However, no one thinks the federal government is going to do anything about the issue for years, and the problem is too pressing (and easy to detect!) to wait. A big Doc Gurley cheer to Maryland! It’s just a shame that individual states are having to step into the void left by this administration. All children should be able to chew their toys in peace. If you’d like more information about this issue, check out the Doc Gurley classic post “What If There’s A Recall…But I Already Ate It?”
No related posts.
Doc Gurley is a Board-certified Internist physician and the only Harvard Medical School graduate to have been awarded a Shoney’s Ten-Step Pin for documented excellence in waitressing. 
California, IL and MI ALREADY have lead requirements they are enforcing. Not sure why you think Maryland is the first. California and Michigan also have lead in jewelry requirements…something Maryland isn’t proposing…but should.
Also, not sure why you blame “this administration.” The CPSC practices being followed are the same as from the last few administrations, both Republican and Democrat. Let’s remember it’s the Democratically-controlled Congress–not this or any other administration–that needs to make the changes to the laws….but they’re only a reactionary body, not a forward-thinking one.
Seems a bit naive (at best) to say that states are already enforcing lead regulations when, literally, over 20 million (yes, that is MILLION) toys had to be recalled in the last 6 months–and NOT prior-to-sale, but, instead, at the stage of post-stocking-shelves and post-consumer-sales. A good look at the topic is here: http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/dec2007/2007-12-26-01.asp
Which includes the quote: “The government is not testing for toxic chemicals in toys, and too many manufacturers are not self-regulating, so we created the nation’s first toy database to help inform and empower consumers,” said Tracey Easthope, MPH, director of the Ecology Center’s Environmental Health Project.
And while I’m sure there’s plenty of political finger-pointing to go around, what actually matters is the children. There is no good way to get rid of lead after the fact. Unfortunately, the one thing everyone agrees on is that, despite the recent recognition of the horrifyingly huge nature of the problem (did I say 20 million toys?)–nothing is likely to change at the federal level–hence, states are taking matters into their own hands. Kudos to them, I say.
Such an approach would entail different avenues of regional cooperation, including fulfilling immediate needs in terms of rec- onciliation initiatives, awareness building of the role of youth-serving NGOs, and nurturing existing national youth institutions and networks. ,