CPSC Releases Lead and Cadmium Test Results on Vinyl Products

October 9, 1997
Release # 98-008

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For Immediate Release;
Contact: Kathleen Begala
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1193

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Greenpeace released a study today alleging that hazardous levels of lead and cadmium are present in many popular vinyl children's products. Testing by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) does not support this conclusion.

CPSC takes action when it learns that products contain hazardous levels of lead. However, CPSC testing found that seven of the 11 vinyl products in which Greenpeace found high levels of lead had no or only trace levels of lead. CPSC conducted further analysis on the four other vinyl products and found two are not hazardous because exposure is not likely, and testing on two is incomplete. Children's health is at risk when they are exposed to hazardous levels of lead. This exposure occurs through ingestion or inhalation.

Of the 11 products, CPSC found eight had no or only trace levels of cadmium and one was not hazardous because exposure is not likely. Testing on two of the products is incomplete.

Using CPSC's experience with vinyl miniblinds, Greenpeace asserts that toxic dust will inevitably be released when vinyl products deteriorate. CPSC staff found that vinyl miniblinds do deteriorate when continuously exposed to sunlight and heat. However, CPSC experts do not believe that the vinyl products tested by Greenpeace will deteriorate because they are not exposed to the same extent of sunlight and heat as the vinyl miniblinds.

CPSC has most recently identified and taken actions to reduce or eliminate the risk of lead poisoning from a number of children's products and consumer products in which lead was accessible to children. These included imported crayons, imported non-glossy vinyl miniblinds, playground equipment and children's jewelry.

CPSC is continuing to evaluate the information provided by Greenpeace and will take action as appropriate.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury and for information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov or via Internet gopher services at cpsc.gov. Consumers can report product hazards to info@cpsc.gov.