Children's Products

ACTION ALERT

Ask your state representative to support the

Michigan "Children's Safe Products Act!"

WHAT'S THE MICHIGAN "CHILDREN'S SAFE PRODUCTS ACT?"

Exposure to even small amounts of a toxic chemical can impact a child's ability to reach his or her full potential. The Children's Safe Products Act would help protect children and would inform parents and other consumers about chemicals of highest concern in toys and other children's products.

Check out our new Fact Sheet! (pdf)

CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS - WHAT'S THE ISSUE?

Michigan's Children at Risk

Our Federal Chemical Protection System is Broken

Other States and Countries are Leading the Way

Michigan's Safe Children's Products Act (HB 4763-4769)

Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids

CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS POLICY - IN THE NEWS

One in Three Children's Toys Tested by Ecology Center's www.HealthyToys.org has Significant Levels of Chemicals

State Representatives Commit to Getting Toxics Out of Toys

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act

Michigan Legislation Passed in 2007

Chemical Testing in Car Seats by Ecology Center's www.HealthyCar.org

RESOURCES AND PRODUCT RECALL INFORMATION

MICHIGAN'S CHILDREN AT RISK

CHEMICAL EXPOSURE IS WIDESPREAD

Toxic chemicals are present in Great Lakes fish and the environment, and in house dust, homes, our own bodies, and breast milk, as well as in toys and other products.
Children are more vulnerable to health effects from toxic chemicals since their systems are still developing and because, pound for pound, they eat, drink, and breathe about two and a half times more than adults. They also place objects and their hands directly into their mouths, assuring they ingest more contaminants.

CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS MAY CONTAIN TOXIC CHEMICALS

Arsenic exposure is associated with lower IQ scores in school-aged children. Prenatal and early childhood exposures to arsenic can also increase the risk of lung cancer and respiratory disease later in life. Arsenic was detected in approximately 1.4% of children's products surveyed by www.HealthyToys.org in 2008.
Lead exposure can result in IQ deficits, learning disabilities, behavioral problems, stunted or slowed growth, and impaired hearing. At increasingly high levels of exposure, a child may suffer kidney damage, become mentally retarded, or fall into a coma. Lead was found in approximately 20% of children's products surveyed by www.HealthyToys.org in 2008.
Mercury exposure is toxic to the nervous system and can have deterimental effects on the kidneys. Mercury was detected in 1% of children's products surveyed by www.HealthyToys.org in 2008.
Bisphenol-A is the main ingredient in hard polycarbonate plastics found in some baby bottles, drinking water bottles, and food containers, and one of the "top 50 production-volume chemicals in the U.S." In experiments with female mice, bisphenol-A has been found to induce the genetic defect that causes Down's syndrome at levels comparable to those found in women tested to date.
In general, the increased presence of toxic chemicals has been linked with increased incidence rates of a wide range of children's health and developmental issues, including asthma.
There is no reason for "toxic toys." The same products can and often are made without potentially harmful chemicals.

OUR FEDERAL CHEMICAL PROTECTION SYSTEM IS BROKEN

Over three decades ago, Congress passed the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to authorize the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to control chemicals that pose an unreasonable risk to human health or the environment. Currently, there are at least 80,000 chemical compounds registered for commercial use in the United States; 62,000 chemicals were grandfathered under TSCA without mandatory testing. About 2,000 new compounds that may pose hazards to human health are introduced into commercial use each year. Traditional toxicologic methods cannot characterize and define the toxicity of such a large number of compounds in a cost-efficient and timely manner. Under TSCA, the EPA has required testing on fewer than 200 chemicals and restricted only 5 chemicals in commerce.
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress, has found that TSCA is inadequate.
In August 2008, former President Bush signed the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), which enables the first federal restrictions on toxics in children's products and addresses only two chemicals, lead and phthalates. Please see our fact sheet, "Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008."

OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES ARE LEADING THE WAY

Washington, Maine, and California have laws stronger than the proposed Michigan Children's Safe Products Act. Many other states are poised to take strong action, as well.
The Euopean Union adopted Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH), which vastly increases the amount of information available to determine the safety of chemical products.

MICHIGAN'S CHILDREN'S SAFE PRODUCTS ACT (HB 4763-4769)

TAKES A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH

Requires the state by 2011 to create and regularly update a comprehensive list of chemicals of concern known to cause cancer, reproductive or developmental harm, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, or which are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic, based on published government lists and other existing sources of data.
From this initial list, authoritative sources will select by 2012 and regularly update "chemicals of highest concern" based on their use in children's products; presence in children, household dust, human breast milk, or cord blood; or other specific relevance to the health of Michigan's children.

ENSURES A PARENT'S RIGHT TO KNOW AND TRANSPARENCY

Large manufacturers of children's products that contain "chemicals of highest concern" above a threshold level must publicly identify what products contain what chemicals and in what concentrations. The Michigan Department of Community Health must make this information easily accessible.
Manufacturers must publicly report whether Screening Information Data Sets or equivalent information exist for all chemicals in their children's products sold in Michigan.
There are no requirements for retailers, small manufacturers, or industrial users.

ENCOURAGES GREEN JOBS

Authorizes Michigan to participate in an interstate clearinghouse to share information and promote safer alternatives.
Companion legislation incentivizes creating safer alternatives in Michigan through Green Chemistry.

HEALTHY MICHIGAN, HEALTHY KIDS

The Children's Safe Products Act is based on the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids platform

House members who signed the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids platform as candidates in 2008:

HD 1 - Timothy Bledsoe
HD 4 - Coleman A. Young
HD 5 - Bert Johnson
HD 8 - George Cushingberry
HD 10 - Gabe Leland
HD 12 - Rashida Tlaib
HD 15 - Gino H. Polidori
HD 16 - Bob Constan
HD 20 - Marc R. Corriveau
HD 21 - Dian Slavens
HD 23 - Deb Kennedy
HD 24 - Sarah Roberts
HD 26 - Marie Donigan
HD 27 - Ellen Cogen Lipton
HD 29 - Tim Melton
HD 31 - Fred Miller
HD 32 - Jennifer Haase
HD 34 - Woodrow Stanely
HD 37 - Vicki Barnett
HD 39 - Lisa Brown
HD 49 - Lee Gonzales
HD 52 - Pam Byrnes
HD 53 - Rebekah Warren
HD 54 - Alma Wheeler Smith
HD 55 - Kathy Angerer
HD 59 - Matt Lori
HD 60 - Robert B. Jones
HD 62 - Kate Segal
HD 65 - Mike Simpson
HD 66 - Bill Rogers
HD 67 - Barb Byrum
HD 68 - Joan Bauer
HD 69 - Mark S. Meadows
HD 70 - Mike Huckleberry
HD 71 - Rick Jones
HD 74 - Dave Agema
HD 75 - Robert Dean
HD 76 - Roy Schmidt
HD 79 - John Proos
HD 84 - Terry L. Brown
HD 85 - Richard J. Ball
HD 87 - Brian N. Calley
HD 88 - Bob Genetski
HD 90 - Joseph Haveman
HD 91 - Mary Valentine
HD 93 - Paul E. Opsommer
HD 95 - Andy Coulouris
HD 96 - Jeff Mayes
HD 99 - Bill Caul
HD 101 - Dan Scripps
HD 103 - Joel A. Sheltrown
HD 107 - Gary McDowell
HD 109 - Steven W. Lindberg
HD 110 - Michael A. Lahti

For more information on the lack of government regulation of toxics, please see the following reports:

"Chemical Regulation: Options Exist to Improve EPA's Ability to Assess Health Risks and Manage Its Chemical Review Program," U.S. General Accountability Office, June 13, 2005. http://www.gao.gov/docsearch/abstract.php?rptno=GAO-05-458

"Green Chemistry in California: A Framework for Leadership in Chemicals Policy and Innovation," California Policy Research Center, 2006.
http://coeh.berkeley.edu/news/06_wilson_policy.htm

For more information on the impacts of toxic chemicals on children's health, please see:

Collected resources on children's environmental health can be found here.

CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS POLICY - IN THE NEWS

One in Three Children's Toys Tested by Ecology Center's www.HealthyToys.org has Significant Levels of Chemicals, Including Lead, Flame Retardants, and Arsenic

The Ecology Center today released the 2nd annual consumer guide to toxic chemicals and toys at www.HealthyToys.org. Researchers tested over 1,500 new, popular children's toys for lead, arsenic, mercury, and other harmful chemicals. Read the full press release here.

54 Incoming State Representatives Commit to Getting Toxics Out of Toys

Michigan voters elected at least 54 State Representatives committed to protecting kids from toxic chemicals in toys. In a strong response to the Healthy Michigan, Healthy Kids (HMHK) coalition and voters across the state, nearly 50 percent of all 2009/10 Michigan House of Representatives members officially signed the HMHK platform, a comprehensive approach to addressing toxics in children's products. Read the full press release here.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Finally Receives Needed Update

Congress Takes First Step Towards "Healthy Toys"

In August 2008, President Bush signed into law the first meaningful reform of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) since it was established three decades ago. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) sets the first-ever national standards on lead in toys and bans several plasticizers (phthalates) from children’s toys and childcare articles.

Download the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act fact sheet (pdf)

Gov. Granholm, Michigan Legislature OK Bills Limiting Lead in Children's Products

Health, environmental, and child advocacy groups praised legislation signed by Gov. Granholm that limits toxic lead in children's products. Amid a public furor over toy recalls - and just weeks after the release of www.HealthyToys.org - the new Michigan standards protect children from high lead levels in items such as toys, childcare articles, lunchboxes, and children's jewelry. The rules fill a void in federal laws, which currently apply only to lead levels in paint.* Read the full press release here.

*State action was necessary because of the virtual lack of any federal regulation to protect children from toxics at the time (see CPSC news above).

First-Ever Ranking of Toxic Chemicals in Child Car Seats Released Today at HealthyCar.org

Crash tests aren't the only way to prove the safety of a car seat, according to new research released today by the Ecology Center. Beginning today, consumers can look up which car seats rank the best and worst in terms of toxic chemical content at www.HealthyCar.org. Anyone looking to buy a new car seat, or wondering if their child's current car seat is safe, can visit this website and search by model, or comparison shop between different models. Read the full press release here.

ACTION ALERT

Ask your state representative to support the

Michigan "Children's Safe Products Act!"

TAKE ACTION TODAY!

Support the Michigan "Children's Safe Product Act"

by sending in your photos and stories.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION ON TOXICS IN CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS AND PRODUCT RECALLS:

Federal Agency Resources:

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
ATSDR is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services and provides answers to lead-related questions at ToxFAQs™: Chemical Agent Briefing Sheets.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Lead in Toy Jewelry: Questions and Answers

CDC Lead-Specific Recall List of toys recalled specifically for lead-content, compiled by CDC's National Center for Environmental Health.

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series is based on weekly reports to CDC by state health departments. The following reports address two situations involving lead poisoning caused by ingesting toy jewelry:

US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):
Consumer Product Recalls: Lead Hazards

Children's Products Recalls (for all reasons)

Children's Toys Recalls (for all reasons)

All Products "Recalls and Product Safety News"

Lead-Based CPSC Product Recalls: A list maintained by the Oregon State "Lead Poisoning Prevention Program." Includes product images and additional information.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
U.S. EPA Lead fact sheet - for basic information on lead exposure.

U.S. EPA National Lead Information Center

U.S. EPA on Lead in Toy Jewelry

State Resources:

Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH)

Questions and Answers on Lead in Children's Toys and Jewelry, from the Oregon Department of Human Services.

Nonprofit Resources:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Toys Safety Resources
Pediatricians outline ways you can make your children's toy bin safer. It includes links on toy recalls, health effects from lead exposure, and protecting your child from lead.
www.aap.org/new/toyrecall.htm

AAP Policy Statement
Lead Exposure in Children: Prevention, Detection, and Management

HealthyToys.org: The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Toys
HealthyToys.org is the first online database with information about toxic chemicals in children's toys! Over 1,200 toys were tested for lead, arsenic, cadmium, chlorine/PVC, and mercury. See how your children's toys measure up, and take action by contacting state and national lawmakers.

HealthyCar.org: The Consumer Action Guide to Toxic Chemicals in Cars
HealthyCar.org Car Seat Guide is based on research conducted by the Ecology Center that looks at the presence of key hazardous chemicals in child car seats. Search our online database for the make and model of your child's car seat, and nominate testing for that seat if it's not listed.

Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan (LDA):
The LDA of Michigan's Healthy Children Project, with help from Clean Water Fund and the Ecology Center, released:

Clean and Green: Your Healthy Home and Family - A Guide to Avoiding Exposure to Toxic Chemicals in Your Home (pdf)

Center for Environmental Health (CEH):
This site provides the latest news and background information on Lead in Children's Lunchboxes.

CEH also provides a list of companies that have agreed to phase out Lead in Children's Jewelry.

Center for Health, Environmental and Justice:
In response to the toxic lifecycle of PVC, a growing list of companies have committed to phase out PVC and switch to safe and healthy products. Companies that have developed PVC phase-out policies are listed here: Company PVC Policies.

Childproofing our Communities Campaign
Read about ways to make homes and schools environmentally safer for children.
www.childproofing.org

U.S. PIRG's Toy Safety and Dangerous Toy Lists
A helpful guide to which baby toys and products contain harmful chemicals.
www.babyproducts.about.com

Washington Toxics Coalition
Easy tips and information on choosing safer products and creating healthy environments for children.
www.watoxics.org/safer-products/safe-start-for-kids

An Interview with Lynn Goldman, MD, MPH:
Dr. Goldman is a pediatrician and professor in Environmental Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. An interview was conducted regarding the potential risk to children from lead exposure.

Information on Testing Products for Toxic Chemicals

Ecology Center
Ecology Center has put together fact sheets on the X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer (XRF) and on the primary chemicals of concern that the XRF can detect. The XRF measure the elemental composition of materials.

PRO-LAB® Lead Testing Products
Pro-Lab's Professional lead test kit for all surfaces contains six instant test strips.