Toy Manufacturers Agree to Rid Products of Lead

August 20, 1998
Release # 98-154

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For Immediate Release;
Contact: Nychelle Fleming
(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1192

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Toy Manufacturers of America (TMA) has pledged that its members will help reduce children's exposure to hazardous lead levels. They will go beyond what the law requires by eliminating lead from their products. This follows a request by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that asked all manufacturers to eliminate the use of lead in products used in or around households, schools or in recreation. Lead poisoning in children is associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation. It is estimated that approximately 930,000 children between the ages of 1 and 5 have blood lead levels that are of concern.

Young children are most commonly exposed to lead in consumer products from direct mouthing of objects or handling the objects and then putting their hands in their mouths. "Because lead accumulates in the body, even exposures to small amounts of lead can present health risks. That's why we are encouraging companies to voluntarily eliminate lead in all consumer products to prevent any unnecessary exposure of children to lead," said CPSC Chairman Ann Brown.

CPSC enforces the Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA). Under the FHSA, toys or other articles intended for children that expose children to hazardous amounts of lead are banned. A household product not intended for children, but which poses a lead poisoning risk, requires precautionary labeling. While CPSC does not have the statutory authority to require companies to stop using lead in consumer products if the levels released are not hazardous, CPSC has asked companies to voluntarily eliminate lead from all products used in or around households, schools or in recreation. Manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of any lead substitutes.

According to TMA, which recently surveyed members of its safety committee, lead is not deliberately added to any toy product. In some instances where lead has been found in a toy product, most cases resulted because of suppliers not following the manufacturing specifications.

TMA Chairman Peter Eio said, "We are pleased by the results of the survey and the TMA Board has directed the Association to conduct an education program to remind manufacturers of the hazards of lead and to re-commit themselves to continue to make products that are free of lead. In addition, we intend to ask the International Council of Toy Industries to adopt this practice and to conduct an information program throughout the industry."

According to TMA President David Miller, "TMA members have always been vigilant in ensuring that children are not exposed to hazardous levels of lead from their products. We are now going beyond what the law requires, and eliminating lead from our products altogether."

In the United States, TMA members represent about 85 percent of toy sales.